LED light bulb having filament with layered light conversion layer

ABSTRACT

An LED light bulb, comprising of: a lamp housing; a bulb base connected to the lamp housing; a stem connected to the bulb base and located in the lamp housing; a single flexible LED filament, disposed in the lamp housing, the flexible LED filament comprising: a plurality of LED sections; a plurality of conductive sections, located between the adjacent two LED sections, where each of the conductive sections includes a conductor, the conductor is copper foil; at least two conductive electrodes; and a light conversion layer comprising a phosphor layer and a silicon layer superposed on the phosphor layer, disposed on the LED chips and at least two sides of the conductive electrodes, and a portion of the conductive electrodes is exposed by the light conversion layer, the LED chip comprising a upper surface and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface of the LED chip, the phosphor layer directly contacts the upper surface of the LED chip, and a base layer contacts the lower surface of the LED chip; the base layer is formed from organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition comprising an organosilicon-modified polyimide and a thermal curing agent.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/479,220 filed on 2019 Jul. 19, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Applications No. 201711434993.3 filed on 2017 Dec. 26; No. 201711477767.3 filed on 2017 Dec. 29; No. 201810031786.1 filed on 2018 Jan. 12; No. 201810065369.9 filed on 2018 Jan. 23; No. 201810343825.1 filed on 2018 Apr. 17; No. 201810344630.9 filed on 2018 Apr. 17; No. 201810501350.4 filed on 2018 May 23; No. 201810498980.0 filed on 2018 May 23; No. 201810573314.9 filed on 2018 Jun. 6; No. 201810836433.9 filed on 2018 Jul. 26; No. 201810943054.X filed on 2018 Aug. 17; No. 201811005536.7 filed on 2018 Aug. 30; No. 201811005145.5 filed on 2018 Aug. 30; No. 201811079889.1 filed on 2018 Sep. 17; No. 201811277980.4 filed on 2018 Oct. 30; No. 201811285657.1 filed on 2018 Oct. 31; No. 201811378173.1 filed on 2018 Nov. 19; No. 201811378189.2 filed on 2018 Nov. 19; No. 201811549205.X filed on 2018 Dec. 18, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a lighting field, and more particularly to an LED light bulb having filament with layered light conversion layer.

RELATED ART

Incandescent bulbs have been widely used for homes or commercial lighting for decades. However, incandescent bulbs are generally with lower efficiency in terms of energy application, and about 90% of energy input can be converted into a heat form to dissipate. In addition, because the incandescent bulb has a very limited lifespan (about 1,000 hours), it needs to be frequently replaced. These traditional incandescent bulbs are gradually replaced by other more efficient lighting devices, such as fluorescent lights, high-intensity discharge lamps, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) lights and the like. In these electric lamps, the LED light lamp attracts widespread attention in its lighting technology. The LED light lamp has the advantages of long lifespan, small in size, environmental protection and the like, therefore the application of the LED light lamp continuously grows.

In recent years, LED light bulbs with LED filaments have been provided on the market. At present, LED light bulbs using LED filaments as illumination sources still have the following problems to be improved.

Firstly, an LED hard filament is provided with a substrate (for example, a glass substrate) and a plurality of LED chips disposed on the substrate. However, the illumination appearance of the LED light bulbs relies on multiple combinations of the LED hard filaments to produce the better illumination appearances. The illumination appearance of the single LED hard filament cannot meet the general needs in the market. A traditional incandescent light bulb is provided with a tungsten filament, the uniform light emitting can be generated due to the natural bendable property of the tungsten filament. In contrast, the LED hard filament is difficult to achieve such uniform illumination appearances. There are many reasons why LED hard filaments are difficult to achieve the uniform illumination appearance. In addition to the aforementioned lower bendable property, one of the reasons is that the substrate blocks the light emitted by the LED chip, and furthermore the light generated by the LED chip is displayed similar to a point light source which causes the light showing concentrated illumination and with poor illumination uniformity. In other words, a uniform distribution of the light emitted from LED chip produces a uniform illumination appearance of the LED filament. On the other hand, the light ray distribution similar to a point light source may results in uneven and concentrated illumination.

Secondly, there is one kind of LED soft filament, which is similar to the structure of the above-mentioned LED hard filament and is employed a flexible printed circuit substrate (hereinafter referred to FPC) instead of the glass substrate to enable the LED filament having a certain degree of bending. However, by utilizing the LED soft filament made of the FPC, the FPC has a thermal expansion coefficient different from that of the silicon gel coated covering the LED soft filament, and the long-term use causes the displacement or even degumming of the LED chips. Moreover, the FPC may not beneficial to flexible adjustment of the process conditions and the like. Besides, during bending the LED soft filament it has a challenge in the stability of the metal wire bonded between LED chips. When the arrangement of the LED chips in the LED soft filament is dense, if the adjacent LED chips are connected by means of metal wire bonding, it is easy to cause the stress to be concentrated on a specific part of the LED soft filament when the LED soft filament is bent, thereby the metal wire bonding between the LED chips are damaged and even broken.

In addition, the LED filament is generally disposed inside the LED light bulb, and in order to present the aesthetic appearance and also to make the illumination of the LED filament more uniform and widespread, the LED filament is bent to exhibit a plurality of curves. Since the LED chips are arranged in the LED filaments, and the LED chips are relatively hard objects, it is difficult for the LED filaments to be bent into a desired shape. Moreover, the LED filament is also prone to cracks due to stress concentration during bending.

In order to increase the aesthetic appearance and make the illumination appearance more uniform, an LED light bulb has a plurality of LED filaments, which are disposed with different placement or angles. However, since the plurality of LED filaments need to be installed in a single LED light bulb, and these LED filaments need to be fixed individually, the assembly process will be more complicated and the production cost will be increased.

Patent No. CN202252991U discloses the light lamp employing with a flexible PCB board instead of the aluminum heat dissipation component to improve heat dissipation. Wherein, the phosphor is coated on the upper and lower sides of the LED chip or on the periphery thereof, and the LED chip is fixed on the flexible PCB board and sealed by an insulating adhesive. The insulating adhesive is epoxy resin, and the electrodes of the LED chip are connected to the circuitry on the flexible PCB board by gold wires. The flexible PCB board is transparent or translucent, and the flexible PCB board is made by printing the circuitry on a polyimide or polyester film substrate. Patent No. CN105161608A discloses an LED filament light-emitting strip and a preparation method thereof. Wherein the LED chips are disposed without overlapped, and the light-emitting surfaces of the LED chips are correspondingly arranged, so that the light emitting uniformity and heat dissipation is improved accordingly. Patent No. CN103939758A discloses that a transparent and thermally conductive heat dissipation layer is formed between the interface of the carrier and the LED chip for heat exchange with the LED chip. According to the aforementioned patents, which respectively use a PCB board, adjust the chips arrangement or form a heat dissipation layer, the heat dissipation of the filament of the lamp can be improved to a certain extent correspondingly; however, the heat is easy to accumulate due to the low efficiency in heat dissipation. The last one, Publication No. CN204289439U discloses an LED filament with omni-directional light comprising a substrate mixed with phosphors, at least one electrode disposed on the substrate, at least one LED chip mounted on the substrate, and the encapsulant coated on the LED chip. The substrate formed by the silicone resin contained with phosphors eliminates the cost of glass or sapphire as a substrate, and the LED filament equipping with this kind of substrate avoids the influence of glass or sapphire on the light emitting of the LED chip. The 360-degree light emitting is realized, and the illumination uniformity and the light efficiency are greatly improved. However, due to the fact that the substrate is formed by silicon resin, the defect of poor heat resistance is a disadvantage.

SUMMARY

It is noted that the present disclosure includes one or more inventive solutions currently claimed or not claimed, and in order to avoid confusion between the illustration of these embodiments in the specification, a number of possible inventive aspects herein may be collectively referred to “present/the invention.”

A number of embodiments are described herein with respect to “the invention.” However, the word “the invention” is used merely to describe certain embodiments disclosed in this specification, whether or not in the claims, is not a complete description of all possible embodiments. Some embodiments of various features or aspects described below as “the invention” may be combined in various ways to form an LED light bulb or a portion thereof.

It is an object of the claimed invention to provide an LED filament, the LED filament comprises at least one LED chip, at least one pair of conductive electrodes, a first light conversion layer, a Polyimide film (hereinafter referred to PI film) and a copper foil. The copper foil and the LED chip are attached to the upper surface of the PI film, the copper foil is located between two adjacent LED chips, and the conductive electrodes are disposed corresponding to the LED chip configuration. The LED chip and the copper foil, and the LED chip and the conductive electrodes are electrically connected by at least one conductive wire. The LED chip is provided with a p-junction and an n-junction, wherein the conductive wires comprise a first wire connected to the p-junction of the LED chip and a second wire connected to the n-junction of the LED chip, the first light conversion layer covers a single LED chip and part of a first wire and a second wire which are connected with the LED chip, the number of the first light conversion layers is the same as the number of the LED chips.

In accordance with an embodiment with the present invention, a silver plating layer is arranged on the upper surface of the copper foil, and a solder mask layer is arranged on the silver plating layer, wherein the thickness of the solder mask layer is in a range of about 30 to 50 micron (μm).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the first light conversion layer covers two ends of the copper foil, wherein the covering area or the average thickness of the first conversion layer disposing on each of the two ends of the copper foil are the same or not equal. The first light conversion layer covers the upper surface of the copper foil with an area ratio about 30 to 40 percent.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the first light conversion layer covers the copper foil, wherein the covering area or the average thickness of the first conversion layer disposing on the two ends of the copper foil and on the middle of the copper foil are the same or not equal. The first light conversion layer covering the middle surface of the copper foil has a thickness in a range of about 30 to 50 micron (μm).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a pair of conductive electrodes are respectively located at the ends, the head end and the tail end, of the LED filament and extending beyond the location where the copper foil on the PI film.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a second light conversion layer is disposed under the PI film, and the second light conversion layer is provided with an inclined surface or an inclined surface with an arc shape, wherein the upper surface of the PI film opposites to the lower surface thereof.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the first light conversion layer is an arc shape, and the height of the arc shape gradually decreases from the middle to the both sides with respect to the PI film, and the angle between each of the two sides of the curved shape and the PI film is an acute angle or an obtuse angle.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an LED filament comprises a plurality of LED chip units, a plurality of conductors, and at least two conductive electrodes. Wherein each of the conductors is located between two adjacent LED chip units, the LED chip units are disposed at different heights, and the conductive electrodes are disposed corresponding to the LED chip units configuration and electrically connected to the LED chip unit by the wire. The adjacent two LED chip units are electrically connected to each other through a conductor, and the angle between the conductor and the extending direction of length of the LED filament is in a range of about 30° to 120°. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention provides a composition which is suitable for use as a filament substrate or a light conversion layer, wherein the composition comprises at least a main material, a modifier and an additive. The main material is an organosilicon-modified polyimide; the modifier is a thermal curing agent; and the additives comprise microparticles added into the main material, which may comprise phosphor particles, heat dispersing particles. The additive also comprises a coupling agent.

The present disclosure provides a composition which is suitable for use as a filament substrate or a light-conversion layer, wherein the main material in the composition is an organosilicon-modified polyimide, i.e. a polyimide comprising a siloxane moiety, wherein the organosilicon-modified polyimide comprises a repeating unit represented by general Formula (I):

In general Formula (I), Ar¹ is a tetra-valent organic group having a benzene ring or an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, Ar² is a di-valent organic group, R is each independently methyl or phenyl, and n is 1˜5.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Ar¹ is a tetra-valent organic group having a monocyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure or a bridged-ring alicyclic hydrocarbon structure.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, Ar² is a di-valent organic group having a monocyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a perspective diagram of the light emission spectrum of an LED light bulb is provided. The LED light bulb may be any LED light bulb disclosed in the previous embodiments, the spectral distribution of the LED light bulb is mainly between the wavelength ranges of about 400 nm to 800 nm. Moreover, there are three peak wavelengths P1, P2, P3 in wavelength ranges corresponding to the light emitted by the LED light bulb. The wavelength of the peak value P1 is between about 430 nm and 480 nm, the wavelength of the peak value P2 is between about 580 nm and 620 nm, and the wavelength of the peak value peak P3 is between about 680 nm and 750 nm. The light intensity of the peak P1 is less than that of the peak P2, and the light intensity of the peak P2 is less than the light intensity of the peak P3.

To make the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention clearer and easier to understand, the following embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A to 1F are cross sectional views of various LED filaments in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an LED filament in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the interfaces passing through by the light emitted by the LED chip in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 4A to 4I are schematic top views of a plurality of embodiments in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a schematic structural view showing an embodiment of a layered structure of an LED filament in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a schematic structural view of an LED chip bonding wire of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows the TMA analysis of the polyimide before and after adding the thermal curing agent;

FIG. 7 shows the particle size distributions of the heat dispersing particles with different specifications;

FIG. 8A shows the SEM image of an organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition composite film (substrate);

FIG. 8B shows the cross-sectional scheme of an organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition composite film (substrate) according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8C shows the cross-sectional scheme of an organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition composite film (substrate) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A illustrates a perspective view of an LED light bulb according to the third embodiment of the instant disclosure;

FIG. 9B illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of the dashed-line circle of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9C is a projection of a top view of an LED filament of the LED light bulb of FIG. 9A;

FIGS. 10A to 10D are respectively a perspective view, a side view, another side view and a top view of an LED light bulb in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11A to 11D are respectively a perspective view, a side view, another side view and a top view of an LED light bulb in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 12A to 12D are respectively a perspective view, a side view, another side view and a top view of an LED light bulb in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13A to 13D are respectively a perspective view, a side view, another side view and a top view of an LED light bulb in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 14A to 14D are respectively a perspective view, a side view, another side view and a top view of an LED light bulb in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the light emission spectrum of an LED light bulb in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing the light emission spectrum of an LED light bulb in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a novel LED filament and its application the LED light bulb. The present disclosure will now be described in the following embodiments with reference to the drawings. The following descriptions of various implementations are presented herein for purpose of illustration and giving examples only. This invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed. These example embodiments are just that—examples—and many implementations and variations are possible that do not require the details provided herein. It should also be emphasized that the disclosure provides details of alternative examples, but such listing of alternatives is not exhaustive. Furthermore, any consistency of detail between various examples should not be interpreted as requiring such detail—it is impracticable to list every possible variation for every feature described herein. The language of the claims should be referenced in determining the requirements of the invention.

In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as “/”.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, or steps, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or steps should not be limited by these terms. Unless the context indicates otherwise, these terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or step from another element, component, region, or step, for example as a naming convention. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or step discussed below in one section of the specification could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or step in another section of the specification or in the claims without departing from the teachings of the present invention. In addition, in certain cases, even if a term is not described using “first,” “second,” etc., in the specification, it may still be referred to as “first” or “second” in a claim in order to distinguish different claimed elements from each other.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to or “on” another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to or on the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled,” or “immediately connected” or “immediately coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). However, the term “contact,” as used herein refers to a direct connection (i.e., touching) unless the context indicates otherwise.

Embodiments described herein will be described referring to plan views and/or cross-sectional views by way of ideal schematic views. Accordingly, the exemplary views may be modified depending on manufacturing technologies and/or tolerances. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to those shown in the views, but include modifications in configuration formed on the basis of manufacturing processes. Therefore, regions exemplified in figures may have schematic properties, and shapes of regions shown in figures may exemplify specific shapes of regions of elements to which aspects of the invention are not limited.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Terms such as “same,” “equal,” “planar,” or “coplanar,” as used herein when referring to orientation, layout, location, position, shapes, sizes, amounts, or other measures do not necessarily mean an exactly identical orientation, layout, location, position, shape, size, amount, or other measure, but are intended to encompass nearly identical orientation, layout, location, position, shapes, sizes, amounts, or other measures within acceptable variations that may occur, for example, due to manufacturing processes. The term “substantially” may be used herein to emphasize this meaning, unless the context or other statements indicate otherwise. For example, items described as “substantially the same,” “substantially equal,” or “substantially planar,” may be exactly the same, equal, or planar, or may be the same, equal, or planar within acceptable variations that may occur, for example, due to manufacturing processes.

Terms such as “about” or “approximately” may reflect sizes, orientations, or layouts that vary only in a small relative manner, and/or in a way that does not significantly alter the operation, functionality, or structure of certain elements. For example, a range from “about 0.1 to about 1” may encompass a range such as a 0%-5% deviation around 0.1 and a 0% to 5% deviation around 1, especially if such deviation maintains the same effect as the listed range.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present application, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The LED chip units 102, 104, or named with the LED section 102, 104, may be composed of a single LED chip, or two LED chips. Of course, it may also include multiple LED chips, that is, equal to or greater than three LED chips.

FIGS. 1A to 1F are cross sectional views showing various embodiments of the LED filament in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, the LED filament includes the LED chip units 102, 104, the conductive electrodes 110, 112, and the wires. The difference between the present embodiment and the previous embodiment is the light conversion layer 120 in the present embodiment is provided with a first light conversion layer 121 and a base layer 122. The upper surface of the base layer 122 is attached with a plurality of copper foils 116 and the LED chip units 102 and 104. The copper foils 116 are located between two adjacent LED chip units 102, 104. Wherein, the conductive electrodes 110, 112 are disposed corresponding to the LED chip units 102, 104, and the LED chip units 102, 104 and the copper foil 116, the LED chip units 102, 104 and the conductive electrodes 110, 112 are electrically connected by wires respectively. The LED chip is provided with a p-junction and an n-junction, wherein the conductive wires comprise a first wire 141 used for connecting the LED chip units 102, 104 with the conductive electrodes 110, 112, and a second wire 142 used for connecting the LED chip units 102, 104 with the copper foil 116. The first light conversion layer 121 covers a single LED chip unit and the first wire 141 and the second wire 142 connecting to the LED chip unit. The number of the first light conversion layers 121 is the same as the number of the LED chip unit. The LED light bulb employs the LED filament as aforementioned designs, the heat dissipation function and the light emitting efficiency of the LED filament are improved due to the thermal radiation area is increased. Furthermore, because the probability of the wire disconnection is reduced, the reliability of the LED light bulb product is increased, and also the brightness and illuminated appearance of the LED filament with bending curve is achieved.

According to present embodiment, each of the LED chip units 102, 104 includes two LED chips, and of course, may also include a plurality of LED chips, that is, equal to or greater than three LED chips. The exterior shape of the LED chip can be a strip type, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The strip type LED chip has fewer conductive electrodes, reducing the possibility of shielding the light emitted by the LED chip. The LED chip units 102 and 104 are connected in series and the conductive electrodes 110 and 112 are disposed at two ends of the connected LED chip units, and a portion of each of the conductive electrodes 110 and 112 is exposed outside the first light conversion layer 121. Each of the six sides of every LED chip in the LED chip units 102, 104 is covered by the first light conversion layer 121, that is, six sides of the LED chip of the LED units 102, 104 are covered by a first light conversion layer 121, and covering coverage may be partial overlap or as wrap but not limited to direct contact. Preferably, in the present embodiment, each of the six sides of the LED chip of the LED chip units 102, 104 directly contacts the first light conversion layer 121. However, in the implementation, the first light conversion layer 121 may cover merely one of the six sides of each of the LED chip of the LED chip units 102, 104, that is, the first light conversion layer 121 directly contacts the one side such as a top or a bottom side. Similarly, the first light conversion layer 121 can directly contact at least one side of the two conductive electrodes 110, 112 or the copper foil 116.

The wire is a gold wire or an aluminum wire, and the combination of the copper foil 116 and the gold wire to provide the LED filament having a stabilized and a flexible conductive structure. The copper foil 116 can be replaced by any other conductive material. The width or/and length of the opening of the copper foil 116 is larger than the contour of the LED chip units 102, 104 and further to define the positions of the LED chip units 102, 104. Furthermore, at least two of the six faces of the LED chip units 102, 104 are contacted and covered by the first light conversion layer 121. By utilizing the copper foil 116 and the wire as linkage, a plurality of the LED chip units 102 and 104 are interconnected in series, in parallel or in a combination of both. Then, the front end and the rear end of the interconnected LED chip units 102, 104 are respectively connected to the two conductive electrodes 110, 112 disposing on the base layer 122, and the conductive electrodes 110, 112 are electrically connected to the power supply to provide the electricity for emitting the LED chip units 102, 104.

The first light conversion layer 121 covers two ends of the copper foil 116, wherein the covering area or the average thickness of the first conversion layer 121 disposing on each of the two ends of the copper foil 116 are substantially the same or not equal. The first light conversion layer 121 covers the upper surface of the copper foil 116 with an area ratio about 30 to 40 percent. In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the FIG. 1B, the first light conversion layer 121 may cover the entire copper foil 116 disposing between the two adjacent first light conversion layers. Wherein the covering area or the average thickness of the first conversion layer 121 disposing on the two ends of the copper foil 116 and on the middle of the copper foil 116 are not equal. The first light conversion layer 121 covering the middle surface of the copper foil has a thickness in a range of about 30 to 50 micron (μm). The surface of the first light conversion layer 121 is an arc shape, and the height of the arc shape gradually decreases from the middle to the both sides with respect to the base layer 122, and the angle between each of the two sides of the curved shape and the base layer 122 is an acute angle or an obtuse angle.

The first light conversion layer 121 includes a phosphor gel or a phosphor film. At least a portion of each of the six sides of the LED chip units 102, 104 directly contacts the first light conversion layer 121 and/or one or both sides of each of the LED chip unit 102, 104 are bonded to the first light conversion layer 121 through the glue. In the aforementioned embodiment, the six sides the LED chip units 102, 104 are all covered by the first light conversion layer 121 and/or partially direct contacted with the first light conversion layer 121. Both embodiments have equivalent concept. In some embodiments, the foregoing glue may also incorporate with phosphors to increase the overall light conversion efficiency. The glue is usually also a silicon gel. The difference between the glue and the silicon gel is the glue generally mixed with silver powder or heat dissipating powder to improve the thermal conductivity.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the difference from the aforementioned embodiment is that the lower surface of the base layer 122 is covered by a second light conversion layer 123 with a uniform thickness. The upper surface and the lower surface of the base layer 122 are opposite to each other. As shown in FIG. 1D, the second light conversion layer 123 covering the lower surface of the base layer 122 has an inclined side or an inclined side with an arc shape. The lower surface of the base layer 122 covering by the second light conversion layer 123, the LED filament therefore can generate fluorescence with more yellow light and less blue light. Therefore, the difference in color temperature between the front and back surfaces of the LED chip units 102 and 104 can be reduced. Thereby, the color temperature of emitting light from both sides of the LED chip units 102 and 104 is closer.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1E, the first light conversion layer 121 covers two adjacent LED chip units 102, 104, a copper foil 116 is located between two adjacent LED chip units 102, 104, and the first wire 141 and the second wire 142 connecting between the LED chip units 102 and 104. In one embodiment, a silver plating layer 118 is disposed on the upper surface of the copper foil 116, and a portion of the copper foil 116 located at the ends of the LED filament and extending beyond the base layer 122 can serve as the conductive electrodes 110, 112. The silver plating layer 118 not only has good electrical conductivity but also has the effect of increasing light reflection. The surface of the silver plating layer 118 can be selectively provided with a solder mask layer (not shown), and the thickness of the solder mask layer is 30˜50 um. The solder mask layer is obtained by an OSP (Organic Solderability Preservatives) process. The solder mask layer has functions of oxidation resistance, thermal shock resistance, and moisture resistance.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1F, the LED filament 200 has LED chip units 102, 104, conductive electrodes 110, 112, wires 140, and a light conversion layer 120. The copper foil 116 is located between the adjacent two LED chip units 102, 104, the conductive electrodes 110, 112 are arranged corresponding to the LED chip units 102, 104, and the LED chip units 102, 104 and the copper foil 116, the LED chip units 102, 104 and the conductive electrodes 110, 112 are electrically connected by wire 140 respectively. The light conversion layer 120 is disposed on the LED chip units 102, 104 and at least two sides of conductive electrodes 110, 112. The light conversion layer 120 exposes a portion of each of the conductive electrodes 110, 112 of the LED filament, and the light conversion layer 120 includes a phosphor layer 124 and a silicon layer 125. The phosphor layer 124 directly contacts the surfaces of the LED chip unit 102, 104. In the phosphors spraying process, the phosphors may be sprayed on the surfaces of the LED chip unit 102, 104, the copper foil 116, the conductive electrodes 110, 112 and the wire 140 by electrostatic spraying to form the phosphor layer 124. Then, the vacuum coating method can be used to disposing a silicon layer 125 on the phosphor layer 124, wherein the silicon layer 125 does not contain phosphor. The thickness of the phosphor layer 124 and the silicon layer 125 are equal or unequal. The thickness of the phosphor layer 124 and silicon layer 125 respectively is about 30 to 70 micron (um) and 30 to 50 micron (um). In another embodiment, the surfaces of the LED chip units 102, 104, the copper foil 116, the conductive electrodes 110, 112, and the wires 140 may be covered with a transparent resin layer, and the transparent resin layer does not contain phosphors, and then covered by phosphors powder on the transparent resin layer. The thickness of the transparent resin layer and the phosphor layer are equal or unequal, and the thickness of the transparent resin layer is about 30 to 50 micron (um).

Referring to FIG. 2, in the LED filament structure shown in FIG. 2, the LED filament 400 has a light conversion layer 420, the LED sections 402, 404, the conductive electrodes 410, 412, and at least one conductive section 430. The conductive section 430 is located between adjacent LED sections 402 and 404. The LED sections 402 and 404 include at least two LED chips 442 electrically connected to each other through the wires 440. In the present embodiment, the conductive section 430 includes a conductor 430 a. The conductive section 430 and the LED sections 402, 404 are electrically connected by wires 450, that is, two LED chips respectively located in the adjacent two LED sections 402, 404 and closest to the conductive section 430 are electrically connected to each other through the wires 450 connecting with the conductor 430 a in the conductive section 430. The length of the conductive section 430 is greater than the distance between two adjacent LED chips in one single LED sections 402, 404, and the length of the wire 440 is less than the length of the conductor 430 a. The light conversion layer 420 is disposed on at least one side of the LED chip 442 and the conductive electrode 410, 412, and a part of the two conductive electrodes is exposed from the light conversion layer. The light conversion layer 420 includes at least a top layer 420 a and a base layer 420 b. In the present embodiment, the LED sections 402, 404, the conductive electrodes 410, 412, and the conductive section 430 are all attached to the base layer 420 b.

The conductor 430 a can be a copper foil or other electrically conductive material, and the conductor 430 a has opening. The upper surface of the conductor 430 a may further have a silver plating layer, and subsequently, the LED chip 442 may be attached to the base layer 420 b by means of die bond paste or the like. Thereafter, a phosphor glue or phosphor film is applied to coat over the LED chip 442, the wires 440, 450, and a portion of the conductive electrodes 410, 412 to form a light conversion layer 420. The width or/and the length of the opening of the conductor 430 a are respectively larger than the width or/and the length of the LED chip 442 and defining the position of the LED chip 442. At least two of the six faces of the LED chip, generally five faces in the present embodiment, being covered by the phosphor glue. The wires 440, 450 may be gold wires. In the present embodiment, the combination of copper foil 460 and the gold wire 440 provides a solid conductive structure and also maintaining the flexibleness of the LED filament. Besides, the silver plating layer 461 has an effect of increasing light reflection in addition to good electrical conductivity.

When the LED filament is illuminated in an LED light bulb encapsulation with the inert gas, as shown in FIG. 3, the light emitted by the LED chip 442 passes through the interfaces A, B, C, D, E and F respectively, wherein the interface A is the interface between the p-GaN gate and the top layer 420 a in the LED chip 442. The interface B is the interface between the top layer 420 a and the inert gas, the interface C is the interface between the substrate and the paste 450 (e.g., die bond paste) in the LED chip 442, the D interface is the interface between the paste 450 and the base layer 420 b, the interface E is the interface between the base layer 420 b and the inert gas, and the interface F is the interface between the base layer 420 b and the top layer 420 a. When light passes through the interfaces A, B, C, D, E and F respectively, the refractive index of the two substances in any interface is n1 and n2 respectively, then |n1−n2|<1.0, preferably |n1−n2|<0.5, more preferably |n1−n2|<0.2. In one embodiment, the refractive index of two substances in any one of the four interfaces of B, E, D and F is n1 and n2 respectively, and then |n1−n2|<1.0, preferably |n1−n2|<0.5, More preferably |n1−n2|<0.2. In one embodiment, the refractive index of two substances in any interface of D and F two interfaces is n1 and n2 respectively, then |n1−n2|<1.0, preferably |n1−n2|<0.5, preferably |n1−n2|<0.2. The absolute value of the difference in refractive index of the two substances in each interface is smaller, the light emitting efficiency is higher. For example, when the light emitted by the LED chip 442 passes from the base layer 420 b to the top layer 420 a, the incident angle is θ1, the refraction angle is θ2, and the refractive index of the base layer 420 b is n1, and the refractive index of the top layer 420 a is n2, according to the equation sin θ1/sin θ2=n2/n1, when the absolute value of the difference between n1 and n2 is smaller, the incident angle closer to the refraction angle, and then the light-emitting efficiency of the LED filament is higher.

Next, a chip bonding design relating to an LED filament will be described. The FIG. 4A is a top view of an embodiment of the LED filament 300 in an unbent state in accordance with the present invention. The LED filament 300 includes a plurality of LED chip units 302, 304, a conductor 330 a, and at least two conductive electrodes 310, 312. The LED chip units 302 and 304 may be a single LED chip, or may include a plurality of LED chips, that is, equal to or greater than two LED chips.

The conductor 330 a is located between the adjacent two LED chip units 302, 304, the LED chip units 302, 304 are at different positions in the Y direction, and the conductive electrodes 310, 312 are disposed corresponding to the LED chip units 302, 304 and electrically connected to the LED chip units 302 and 304 through the wires 340. The adjacent two LED chip units 302 and 304 are electrically connected to each other through the conductor 330 a. The angle between the conductor 330 a and the LED filament in the longitudinal direction (X direction) is 30° to 120°, preferably 60° to 120°. In the related art, the direction of the conductor 330 a is parallel to the X direction, and the internal stress acting on the cross sectional area of the conductor is large when the filament is bent at the conductor. Therefore, the conductor 330 a is disposed at a certain angle with the X direction and it can effectively reduce the internal stress thereof. The wire 340 is at an angle, parallel, vertical or any combination with the X direction. In the embodiment, the LED filament 300 includes two wires 340, one wire 340 is parallel to the X direction, and the other wire 340 has an angle of 30° to 120° with respect to the X direction. The LED filament 300 emits light after its conductive electrodes 310, 312 are powered with voltage source or current source.

FIGS. 4B to 4D show the case where the conductor 330 a is 90° with respect to the X direction, that is, the conductor 330 a is perpendicular to the X direction, which can reduce the internal stress on the conductor cross sectional area when the filament is bent. In some embodiment the wire 340 both in parallel and vertically with respect to the X direction are combined in an LED filament, as shown in FIG. 4B, the LED filament 300 includes two wires 340, one wire 340 being parallel to the X direction and the other wire 340 being perpendicular to the X direction.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. 4B is that the wire 340 is perpendicular to the X direction, and the bendability duration between the conductive electrodes 310, 312 and the LED chip units 302, 304 is improved. Further, since the conductor 330 a and the wire 340 are simultaneously arranged to be perpendicular to the X direction, the LED filament can have good bendability at any position.

FIG. 4E is a top view of the LED filament 300 in an unbent state in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4E differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 4C is that, in the X direction, the LED chip unit 304 is between two adjacent LED chip units 302, and no overlap with the LED chip unit 302 in the projection in the Y direction, so that when the LED filament is bent at the conductor 330 a, the LED chip is not damaged, thereby improving the stability of the LED light bulb product quality.

As shown in FIG. 4F, the LED filament 300 includes a plurality of LED chip units 302, 304, a conductor 330 a, and at least two conductive electrodes 310, 312. The conductor 330 a is located between adjacent LED chip units 302, 304, and the LED chip units 302, 304 are disposed at substantially the same position in the Y direction, so that the overall width of the LED filament 300 is smaller, thereby shortening the thermal dissipation path of the LED chip and improving the thermal dissipation effect. The conductive electrodes 310, 312 are correspondingly arranged to the LED chip units 302, 304, and are electrically connected to the LED chip units 302, 304 through the wires 340. The LED chip units 302/304 are electrically connected to the conductors 330 a through the wires 350, and the conductors 330 a are in the font shape like deformed Z letter. The aforesaid shape can increase the mechanical strength of the region where the conductor and the LED chip are located in, and can avoid the damage of the wire connecting the LED chip and the conductor when the LED filament 300 is bent. At the same time, the wire 340 is disposed in a parallel with the X direction.

As shown in FIG. 4G, the LED filament 300 includes a plurality of LED chip units 302, 304, at least one conductor 330 a, and at least two conductive electrodes 310, 312. The LED chip units 302, 304 are in the same position in the Y direction, and the conductor 330 a parallel to the X direction, the conductor 330 a includes a first conductor 3301 a and a second conductor 3302 a, respectively located on opposite sides of the LED chip unit 302/304, and the first conductor 3301 a is located between adjacent LED chip units 302, 304 and electrically connected to the LED chip unit 302/304 through the wire 350. The wire 350 is perpendicular to the X direction, and reduces the internal stress on the cross sectional area of the wire when the LED filament 300 is bent, thereby improving the bendability of the wire. The second conductor 3302 a is not electrically connected to the LED chip units 302, 304, and the second conductor 3302 a extends along the X direction to the one end of each wire 340 adjacent to the electrode. When the LED filament 300 is suffered external force, it can play the role of stress buffering, protect the LED chip, improve product stability, and secondly make the force balance on both sides of the LED chip. The conductive electrodes 310, 312 are configured corresponding to the LED chip units 302, 304, and are electrically connected to the LED chip units 302, 304 through wires 340.

As shown in FIG. 4H, the difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. 4G is that the first conductor 3301 a and the second conductor 3302 a extends along the X direction to the one end of each wire 340 adjacent to the electrode, and the first conductor 3301 a and the second conductor 3302 a are electrically connected to both the LED chip unit 302 and the LED chip unit 304 by wires 350. In other embodiments, for example, the first conductor 3301 a is electrically connected to the LED chip unit 302 and the LED chip unit 304 through the wire 350, and the second conductor 3302 a may not be electrically connected to the LED chip unit 302/304. By setting conductors on both sides of the LED chip, when the LED filament 300 is bent, it can not only increase the strength of the LED filament 300 but also disperse the heat generated by the LED chips during illumination.

FIG. 4I is a top view showing an embodiment of the LED filament 300 in an unbent state. In the present embodiment, the LED chip units 302 and 304 are single LED chips, and the width of the LED chip units 302 and 304 is parallel to the X direction. Preferably, the LED chip units 302 and 304 are at substantially the same position in the Y direction, so that the overall width of the LED filament 300 is smaller, thereby shortening the heat dissipation path of the LED chip and improving the thermal dissipation effect. The adjacent two LED chip units 302 and 304 are connected by a conductor 330 a, and the angle between the conductor 330 a and the X direction is 30° to 120°, which reduces the internal stress on the cross sectional area of the wire and also improves the bendability of the wire when the LED filament 300 is bent. In other embodiments, the LED chip unit longitudinally may have an angle with the X direction as the conductor 330 a, which may further reduce the overall width of the LED filament 300.

FIG. 5A is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a layered structure of the LED filament 400 of the present invention. The LED filament 400 has a light conversion layer 420, two LED chip units 402, 404, two conductive electrodes 410, 412, and a conductive section 430 for electrically connecting adjacent two LED chip units 402, 404. Each of the LED chip units 402, 404 includes at least two LED chips 442 that are electrically connected to each other by wires 440. In the present embodiment, the conductive section 430 includes a conductor 430, and the conductive section 430 is electrically connected to the LED sections 402, 404 through the wires 450. The shortest distance between the two LED chips 442 located in the adjacent two LED chip units 402, 404 is greater than the distance between adjacent two LED chips in the same chip unit 402/404. Moreover, the length of wire 440 is less than the length of conductor 430 a. The light conversion layer 420 is disposed on the LED chip 442 and at least two sides of the conductive electrodes 410, 412. The light conversion layer 420 exposes a portion of the conductive electrodes 410, 412. The light conversion layer 420 may composed of at least one top layer 420 a and one base layer 420 b as the upper layer and the lower layer of the LED filament respectively. In the present embodiment, the LED chips 442 and the conductive electrodes 410, 412 are sandwiched in between the top layer 420 a and the base layer 420 b. When the wire bonding process of the face up chip is carried out along the x direction, for example, the bonding wire and the bonding conductor are gold wires, the quality of the bonding wire is mainly determined by the stress at the five points A, B, C, D, and E as shown in FIG. 5B. The point A is the junction of the soldering pad 4401 and the gold ball 4403, point B is the junction of the gold ball 4403 and the gold wire 440, point C is between the two segments of the gold wire 440, point D is the gold wire 440 and the two solder butted joints 4402, and the point E is between the two solder butted joints 4402 and the surface of the chip 442. Because of point B is the first bending point of the gold wire 440, and the gold wire 440 at the point D is thinner, thus gold wire 440 is frangible at points B and D. So that, for example, in the implementation of the structure of the LED filament 300 package showing in FIG. 5A, the top layer 420 a only needs to cover points B and D, and a portion of the gold wire 440 is exposed outside the light conversion layer. If the one of the six faces of the LED chip 442 farthest from the base layer 420 b is defined as the upper surface of the LED chip 442, the distance from the upper surface of the LED chip 442 to the surface of the top layer 420 a is in a range of around 100 to 200 μm.

The next part will describe the material of the filament of the present invention. The material suitable for manufacturing a filament substrate or a light-conversion layer for LED should have properties such as excellent light transmission, good heat resistance, excellent thermal conductivity, appropriate refraction rate, excellent mechanical properties and good warpage resistance. All the above properties can be achieved by adjusting the type and the content of the main material, the modifier and the additive contained in the organosilicon-modified polyimide composition. The present disclosure provides a filament substrate or a light-conversion layer formed from a composition comprising an organosilicon-modified polyimide. The composition can meet the requirements on the above properties. In addition, the type and the content of one or more of the main material, the modifier (thermal curing agent) and the additive in the composition can be modified to adjust the properties of the filament substrate or the light-conversion layer, so as to meet special environmental requirements. The modification of each property is described herein below.

Adjustment of the Organosilicon-Modified Polyimide

The organosilicon-modified polyimide provided herein comprises a repeating unit represented by the following general Formula (I):

In general Formula (I), Ar¹ is a tetra-valent organic group. The organic group has a benzene ring or an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure. The alicyclic hydrocarbon structure may be monocyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure or a bridged-ring alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, which may be a dicyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure or a tricyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure. The organic group may also be a benzene ring or an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure comprising a functional group having active hydrogen, wherein the functional group having active hydrogen is one or more of hydroxyl, amino, carboxy, amido and mercapto.

Ar² is a di-valent organic group, which organic group may have for example a monocyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure or a di-valent organic group comprising a functional group having active hydrogen, wherein the functional group having active hydrogen is one or more of hydroxyl, amino, carboxy, amido and mercapto.

R is each independently methyl or phenyl.

n is 1˜5, preferably 1, 2, 3 or 5.

The polymer of general Formula (I) has a number average molecular weight of 5000˜100000, preferably 10000˜60000, more preferably 20000˜40000. The number average molecular weight is determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and calculated based on a calibration curve obtained by using standard polystyrene. When the number average molecular weight is below 5000, a good mechanical property is hard to be obtained after curing, especially the elongation tends to decrease. On the other hand, when it exceeds 100000, the viscosity becomes too high and the resin is hard to be formed.

Ar¹ is a component derived from a dianhydride, which may be an aromatic anhydride or an aliphatic anhydride. The aromatic anhydride includes an aromatic anhydride comprising only a benzene ring, a fluorinated aromatic anhydride, an aromatic anhydride comprising amido group, an aromatic anhydride comprising ester group, an aromatic anhydride comprising ether group, an aromatic anhydride comprising sulfide group, an aromatic anhydride comprising sulfonyl group, and an aromatic anhydride comprising carbonyl group.

Examples of the aromatic anhydride comprising only a benzene ring include pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 2,3,3′,4′-biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride (aBPDA), 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride (sBPDA), and 4-(2,5-dioxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro naphthalene-1,2-dicarboxylic anhydride (TDA). Examples of the fluorinated aromatic anhydride include 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride which is referred to as 6FDA. Examples of the aromatic anhydride comprising amido group include N,N′-(5,5′-(perfluoropropane-2,2-diyl)bis(2-hydroxy-5,1-phenylene))bis(1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran)-5-arboxamide) (6FAP-ATA), and N,N′-(9H-fluoren-9-ylidenedi-4,1-phenylene)bis[1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-5-isobenzofuran carboxamide] (FDA-ATA). Examples of the aromatic anhydride comprising ester group include p-phenylene bis(trimellitate) dianhydride (TAHQ). Examples of the aromatic anhydride comprising ether group include 4,4′-(4,4′-isopropylidenediphenoxy)bis(phthalic anhydride) (BPADA), 4,4′-oxydiphthalic dianhydride (sODPA), 2,3,3′,4′-diphenyl ether tetracarboxylic dianhydride (aODPA), and 4,4′-(4,4′-isopropylidenediphenoxy)bis(phthalic anhydride)(BPADA). Examples of the aromatic anhydride comprising sulfide group include 4,4′-bis(phthalic anhydride)sulfide (TPDA). Examples of the aromatic anhydride comprising sulfonyl group include 3,3′,4,4′-diphenylsulfonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (DSDA). Examples of the aromatic anhydride comprising carbonyl group include 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA).

The alicyclic anhydride includes 1,2,4,5-cyclohexanetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride which is referred to as HPMDA, 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BDA), tetrahydro-1H-5,9-methanopyrano[3,4-d]oxepine-1,3,6,8(4H)-tetrone (TCA), hexahydro-4,8-ethano-1H,3H-benzo [1,2-C′]difuran-1,3,5,7-tetrone (BODA), cyclobutane-1,2,3,4-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (CBDA), and 1,2,3,4-cyclopentanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (CpDA); or alicyclic anhydride comprising an olefin structure, such as bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (COeDA). When an anhydride comprising ethynyl such as 4,4′-(ethyne-1,2-diyl)diphthalic anhydride (EBPA) is used, the mechanical strength of the light-conversion layer can be further ensured by post-curing.

Considering the solubility, 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (sODPA), 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (CBDA) and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) are preferred. The above dianhydride can be used alone or in combination.

Ar² is derived from diamine which may be an aromatic diamine or an aliphatic diamine. The aromatic diamine includes an aromatic diamine comprising only a benzene ring, a fluorinated aromatic diamine, an aromatic diamine comprising ester group, an aromatic diamine comprising ether group, an aromatic diamine comprising amido group, an aromatic diamine comprising carbonyl group, an aromatic diamine comprising hydroxyl group, an aromatic diamine comprising carboxy group, an aromatic diamine comprising sulfonyl group, and an aromatic diamine comprising sulfide group.

The aromatic diamine comprising only a benzene ring includes m-phenylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine, 2,4-diaminotoluene, 2,6-diamino-3,5-diethyltoluene, 3,3′-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4′-diamine 9,9-bis(4-aminophenyl)fluorene (FDA), 9,9-bis(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)fluorene, 2,2-bis(4-aminophenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3-methyl-4-aminophenyl)propane, 4,4′-diamino-2,2′-dimethylbiphenyl(APB). The fluorinated aromatic diamine includes 2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine (TFMB), 2,2-bis(4-aminophenyl)hexafluoropropane (6FDAM), 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane (HFBAPP), and 2,2-bis(3-amino-4-methylphenyl)hexafluoropropane (BIS-AF-AF). The aromatic diamine comprising ester group includes [4-(4-aminobenzoyl)oxyphenyl]4-aminobenzoate (ABHQ), bis(4-aminophenyl)terephthalate (BPTP), and 4-aminophenyl 4-aminobenzoate (APAB). The aromatic diamine comprising ether group includes 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane)(BAPP), 2,2′-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane (ET-BDM), 2,7-bis(4-aminophenoxy)-naphthalene (ET-2,7-Na), 1,3-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzene (TPE-M), 4,4′-[1,4-phenyldi(oxy)]bis[3-(trifluoromethyl)aniline] (p-6FAPB), 3,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether, 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA), 1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene (TPE-R), 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene (TPE-Q), and 4,4′-bis(4-aminophenoxy)biphenyl(BAPB). The aromatic diamine comprising amido group includes N,N′-bis(4-aminophenyl)benzene-1,4-dicarboxamide (BPTPA), 3,4′-diamino benzanilide (m-APABA), and 4,4′-diaminobenzanilide (DABA). The aromatic diamine comprising carbonyl group includes 4,4′-diaminobenzophenone (4,4′-DABP), and bis(4-amino-3-carboxyphenyl) methane (or referred to as 6,6′-diamino-3,3′-methylanediyl-dibenzoic acid). The aromatic diamine comprising hydroxyl group includes 3,3′-dihydroxybenzidine (HAB), and 2,2-bis(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane (6FAP). The aromatic diamine comprising carboxy group includes 6,6′-diamino-3,3′-methylanediyl-dibenzoic acid (MBAA), and 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid (DBA). The aromatic diamine comprising sulfonyl group includes 3,3′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS),4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]sulfone (BAPS) (or referred to as 4,4′-bis(4-aminophenoxy)diphenylsulfone), and 3,3′-diamino-4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone (ABPS). The aromatic diamine comprising sulfide group includes 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfide.

The aliphatic diamine is a diamine which does not comprise any aromatic structure (e.g., benzene ring). The aliphatic diamine includes monocyclic alicyclic amine and straight chain aliphatic diamine, wherein the straight chain aliphatic diamine include siloxane diamine, straight chain alkyl diamine and straight chain aliphatic diamine comprising ether group. The monocyclic alicyclic diamine includes 4,4′-diaminodicyclohexylmethane (PACM), and 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4-diaminodicyclohexylmethane (DMDC). The siloxane diamine (or referred to as amino-modified silicone) includes α,ω-(3-aminopropyl)polysiloxane (KF8010), X22-161A, X22-161B, NH15D, and 1,3-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane (PAME). The straight chain alkyl diamine has 6˜12 carbon atoms, and is preferably un-substituted straight chain alkyl diamine. The straight chain aliphatic diamine comprising ether group includes ethylene glycol di(3-aminopropyl) ether.

The diamine can also be a diamine comprising fluorenyl group. The fluorenyl group has a bulky free volume and rigid fused-ring structure, which renders the polyimide good heat resistance, thermal and oxidation stabilities, mechanical properties, optical transparency and good solubility in organic solvents. The diamine comprising fluorenyl group, such as 9,9-bis(3,5-difluoro-4-aminophenyl)fluorene, may be obtained through a reaction between 9-fluorenone and 2,6-dichloroaniline. The fluorinated diamine can be 1,4-bis(3′-amino-5′-trifluoromethylphenoxy)biphenyl, which is a meta-substituted fluorine-containing diamine having a rigid biphenyl structure. The meta-substituted structure can hinder the charge flow along the molecular chain and reduce the intermolecular conjugation, thereby reducing the absorption of visible lights. Using asymmetric diamine or anhydride can increase to some extent the transparency of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition. The above diamines can be used alone or in combination.

Examples of diamines having active hydrogen include diamines comprising hydroxyl group, such as 3,3′-diamino-4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl, 4,4′-diamino-3,3′-dihydroxy-1,1′-biphenyl (or referred to as 3,3′-dihydroxybenzidine) (HAB), 2,2-bis(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (BAP), 2,2-bis(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane (6FAP), 1,3-bis(3-hydro-4-aminophenoxy) benzene, 1,4-bis(3-hydroxy-4-aminophenyl)benzene and 3,3′-diamino-4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone (ABPS). Examples of diamines comprising carboxy group include 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid, bis(4-amino-3-carboxyphenyl)methane (or referred to as 6,6′-diamino-3,3′-methylenedibenzoic acid), 3,5-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzoic acid, and 1,3-bis(4-amino-2-carboxyphenoxy)benzene. Examples of diamines comprising amino group include 4,4′-diaminobenzanilide (DABA), 2-(4-aminophenyl)-5-aminobenzoimidazole, diethylenetriamine, 3,3′-diaminodipropylamine, triethylenetetramine, and N,N′-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine (or referred to as N,N-di(3-aminopropyl)ethylethylamine). Examples of diamines comprising thiol group include 3,4-diaminobenzenethiol. The above diamines can be used alone or in combination.

The organosilicon-modified polyimide can be synthesized by well-known synthesis methods. For example, it can be prepared from a dianhydride and a diamine which are dissolved in an organic solvent and subjected to imidation in the presence of a catalyst. Examples of the catalyst include acetic anhydride/triethylamine, and valerolactone/pyridine. Preferably, removal of water produced in the azeotropic process in the imidation is promoted by using a dehydrant such as toluene.

Polyimide can also be obtained by carrying out an equilibrium reaction to give a poly (amic acid) which is heated to dehydrate. In other embodiments, the polyimide backbone may have a small amount of amic acid. For example, the ratio of amic acid to imide in the polyimide molecule may be 1˜3:100. Due to the interaction between amic acid and the epoxy resin, the substrate has superior properties. In other embodiments, a solid state material such as a thermal curing agent, inorganic heat dispersing particles and phosphor can also be added at the state of poly (amic acid) to give the substrate. In addition, solubilized polyimide can also be obtained by direct heating and dehydration after mixing of alicylic anhydride and diamine. Such solubilized polyimide, as an adhesive material, has a good light transmittance. In addition, it is liquid state per se; therefore, other solid materials (such as the inorganic heat dispersing particles and the phosphor) can be dispersed in the adhesive material more sufficiently.

In one embodiment for preparing the organosilicon-modified polyimide, the organosilicon-modified polyimide can be produced by dissolving the polyimide obtained by heating and dehydration after mixing a diamine and an anhydride and a siloxane diamine in a solvent. In another embodiment, the amidic acid, before converting to polyimide, is reacted with the siloxane diamine.

In addition, the polyimide compound may be obtained by dehydration and ring-closing and condensation polymerization from an anhydride and a diamine, such as an anhydride and a diamine in a molar ratio of 1:1. In one embodiment, 200 micromole (mmol) of 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA), 20 micromole (mmol) of 2,2-bis(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane (6FAP), 50 micromole (mmol) of 2,2′-di(trifluoromethyl)diaminobiphenyl(TFMB) and 130 micromole (mmol) of aminopropyl-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) are used to give the PI synthesis solution.

The above methods can be used to produce amino-terminated polyimide compounds. However, other methods can be used to produce carboxy-terminated polyimide compounds. In addition, in the above reaction between anhydride and diamine, where the backbone of the anhydride comprises a carbon-carbon triple bond, the affinity of the carbon-carbon triple bond can promote the molecular structure. Alternatively, a diamine comprising vinyl siloxane structure can be used.

The molar ratio of dianhydride to diamine may be 1:1. The molar percentage of the diamine comprising a functional group having active hydrogen may be 5˜25% of the total amount of diamine. The temperature under which the polyimide is synthesized is preferably 80˜250° C., more preferably 100˜200° C. The reaction time may vary depending on the size of the batch. For example, the reaction time for obtaining 10˜30 g polyimide is 6˜10 hours.

The organosilicon-modified polyimide can be classified as fluorinated aromatic organosilicon-modified polyimides and aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimides. The fluorinated aromatic organosilicon-modified polyimides are synthesized from siloxane-type diamine, aromatic diamine comprising fluoro (F) group (or referred to as fluorinated aromatic diamine) and aromatic dianhydride comprising fluoro (F) group (or referred to as fluorinated aromatic anhydride). The aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimides are synthesized from dianhydride, siloxane-type diamine and at least one diamine not comprising aromatic structure (e.g., benzene ring) (or referred to as aliphatic diamine), or from diamine (one of which is siloxane-type diamine) and at least one dianhydride not comprising aromatic structure (e.g., benzene ring) (or referred to as aliphatic anhydride). The aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide includes semi-aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide and fully aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide. The fully aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide is synthesized from at least one aliphatic dianhydride, siloxane-type diamine and at least one aliphatic diamine. The raw materials for synthesizing the semi-aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide include at least one aliphatic dianhydride or aliphatic diamine. The raw materials required for synthesizing the organosilicon-modified polyimide and the siloxane content in the organosilicon-modified polyimide would have certain effects on transparency, chromism, mechanical property, warpage extent and refractivity of the substrate.

The organosilicon-modified polyimide of the present disclosure has a siloxane content of 20˜75 wt %, preferably 30˜70 wt %, and a glass transition temperature of below 150° C. The glass transition temperature (Tg) is determined on TMA-60 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation after adding a thermal curing agent to the organosilicon-modified polyimide. The determination conditions include: load: 5 gram; heating rate: 10° C./min; determination environment: nitrogen atmosphere; nitrogen flow rate: 20 ml/min; temperature range: −40 to 300° C. When the siloxane content is below 20%, the film prepared from the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition may become very hard and brittle due to the filling of the phosphor and thermal conductive fillers, and tend to warp after drying and curing, and therefore has a low processability. In addition, its resistance to thermochromism becomes lower. On the other hand, when the siloxane content is above 75%, the film prepared from the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition becomes opaque, and has reduced transparency and tensile strength. Here, the siloxane content is the weight ratio of siloxane-type diamine (having a structure shown in Formula (A)) to the organosilicon-modified polyimide, wherein the weight of the organosilicon-modified polyimide is the total weight of the diamine and the dianhydride used for synthesizing the organosilicon-modified polyimide subtracted by the weight of water produced during the synthesis.

Wherein R is methyl or phenyl, preferably methyl, n is 1˜5, preferably 1, 2, 3 or 5.

The only requirements on the organic solvent used for synthesizing the organosilicon-modified polyimide are to dissolve the organosilicon-modified polyimide and to ensure the affinity (wettability) to the phosphor or the fillers to be added. However, excessive residue of the solvent in the product should be avoided. Normally, the number of moles of the solvent is equal to that of water produced by the reaction between diamine and anhydride. For example, 1 mol diamine reacts with 1 mol anhydride to give 1 mol water; then the amount of solvent is 1 mol. In addition, the organic solvent used has a boiling point of above 80° C. and below 300° C., more preferably above 120° C. and below 250° C., under standard atmospheric pressure. Since drying and curing under a lower temperature are needed after coating, if the temperature is lower than 120° C., good coating cannot be achieved due to high drying speed during the coating process. If the boiling point of the organic solvent is higher than 250° C., the drying under a lower temperature may be deferred. Specifically, the organic solvent may be an ether-type organic solvent, an ester-type organic solvent, a dimethyl ether-type organic solvent, a ketone-type organic solvent, an alcohol-type organic solvent, an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent or other solvents. The ether-type organic solvent includes ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol diethyl ether, ethylene glycol dibutyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether or diethylene glycol dibutyl ether, and diethylene glycol butyl methyl ether. The ester-type organic solvent includes acetates, including ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propyl acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, benzyl acetate and 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethyl acetate; and methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, n-butyl acetate, methyl benzoate and ethyl benzoate. The dimethyl ether-type solvent includes triethylene glycol dimethyl ether and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether. The ketone-type solvent includes acetylacetone, methyl propyl ketone, methyl butyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclopentanone, and 2-heptanone. The alcohol-type solvent includes butanol, isobutanol, isopentanol, 4-methyl-2-pentanol, 3-methyl-2-butanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, and diacetone alcohol. The aromatic hydrocarbon solvent includes toluene and xylene. Other solvents include y-butyrolactone, N-methylpyrrolidone, N, N-dimethylformamide, N, N-dimethylacetamide and dimethyl sulfoxide.

The present disclosure provides an organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition comprising the above organosilicon-modified polyimide and a thermal curing agent, which may be epoxy resin, hydrogen isocyanate or bisoxazoline compound. In one embodiment, based on the weight of the organosilicon-modified polyimide, the amount of the thermal curing agent is 5˜12% of the weight of the organosilicon-modified polyimide. The organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition may further comprise heat dispersing particles and phosphor.

Light Transmittance

The factors affecting the light transmittance of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition at least include the type of the main material, the type of the modifier (thermal curing agent), the type and content of the heat dispersing particles, and the siloxane content. Light transmittance refers to the transmittance of the light near the main light-emitting wavelength range of the LED chip. For example, blue LED chip has a main light-emitting wavelength of around 450 nm, then the composition or the polyimide should have low enough or even no absorption to the light having a wavelength around 450 nm, so as to ensure that most or even all the light can pass through the composition or the polyimide. In addition, when the light emitted by the LED chip passes through the interface of two materials, the closer the refractive indexes of the two materials, the higher the light output efficiency. In order to be close to the refractive index of the material (such as die bonding glue) contacting with the filament substrate (or base layer), the organosilicon-modified polyimide composition has a refractive index of 1.4˜1.7, preferably 1.4˜1.55. In order to use the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition as substrate in the filament, the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition is required to have good light transmittance at the peak wavelength of InGaN of the blue-excited white LED. In order to obtain a good transmittance, the raw materials for synthesizing the organosilicon-modified polyimide, the thermal curing agent and the heat dispersing particles can be adjusted. Because the phosphor in the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition may have certain effect on the transmittance test, the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition used for the transmittance test does not comprise phosphor. Such an organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition has a transmittance of 86˜93%, preferably 88˜91%, or preferably 89˜92%, or preferably 90˜93%.

In the reaction of anhydride and diamine to produce polyimide, the anhydride and the diamine may vary. In other words, the polyimides produced from different anhydrides and different diamines may have different light transmittances. The aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition comprises the aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide and the thermal curing agent, while the fluorinated aromatic organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition comprises the fluorinated aromatic organosilicon-modified polyimide and the thermal curing agent. Since the aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide has an alicyclic structure, the aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition has a relatively high light transmittance. In addition, the fluorinated aromatic, semi-aliphatic and full aliphatic polyimides all have good light transmittance in respect of the blue LED chips. The fluorinated aromatic organosilicon-modified polyimide is synthesized from a siloxane-type diamine, an aromatic diamine comprising a fluoro (F) group (or referred to as fluorinated aromatic diamine) and an aromatic dianhydride comprising a fluoro (F) group (or referred to as fluorinated aromatic anhydride). In other words, both Ar¹ and Ar² comprise a fluoro (F) group. The semi-aliphatic and full aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimides are synthesized from a dianhydride, a siloxane-type diamine and at least one diamine not comprising an aromatic structure (e.g. a benzene ring) (or referred to as aliphatic diamine), or from a diamine (one of the diamine is siloxane-type diamine) and at least one dianhydride not comprising an aromatic structure (e.g. a benzene ring) (or referred to as aliphatic anhydride). In other words, at least one of Ar¹ and Ar² has an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure.

Although blue LED chips have a main light-emitting wavelength of 450 nm, they may still emit a minor light having a shorter wavelength of around 400 nm, due to the difference in the conditions during the manufacture of the chips and the effect of the environment. The fluorinated aromatic, semi-aliphatic and full aliphatic polyimides have different absorptions to the light having a shorter wavelength of 400 nm. The fluorinated aromatic polyimide has an absorbance of about 20% to the light having a shorter wavelength of around 400 nm, i.e. the light transmittance of the light having a wavelength of 400 nm is about 80% after passing through the fluorinated aromatic polyimide. The semi-aliphatic and full aliphatic polyimides have even lower absorbance to the light having a shorter wavelength of 400 nm than the fluorinated aromatic polyimide, which is only 12%. Accordingly, in an embodiment, if the LED chips used in the LED filament have a uniform quality, and emit less blue light having a shorter wavelength, the fluorinated aromatic organosilicon-modified polyimide may be used to produce the filament substrate or the light-conversion layer. In another embodiment, if the LED chips used in the LED filament have different qualities, and emit more blue light having a shorter wavelength, the semi-aliphatic or full aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimides may be used to produce the filament substrate or the light-conversion layer.

Adding different thermal curing agents imposes different effects on the light transmittance of the organosilicon-modified polyimide. Table 1-1 shows the effect of the addition of different thermal curing agents on the light transmittance of the full aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide. At the main light-emitting wavelength of 450 nm for the blue LED chip, the addition of different thermal curing agents renders no significant difference to the light transmittance of the full aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide; while at a short wavelength of 380 nm, the addition of different thermal curing agents does affect the light transmittance of the full aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide. The organosilicon-modified polyimide itself has a poorer transmittance to the light having a short wavelength (380 nm) than to the light having a long wavelength (450 nm). However, the extent of the difference varies with the addition of different thermal curing agents. For example, when the thermal curing agent KF105 is added to the full aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide, the extent of the reduction in the light transmittance is less. In comparison, when the thermal curing agent 2021p is added to the full aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide, the extent of the reduction in the light transmittance is more. Accordingly, in an embodiment, if the LED chips used in the LED filament have a uniform quality, and emit less blue light having a short wavelength, the thermal curing agent BPA or the thermal curing agent 2021p may be added. In comparison, in an embodiment, if the LED chips used in the LED filament have different qualities, and emit more blue light having a short wavelength, the thermal curing agent KF105 may be used. Both Table 1-1 and Table 1-2 show the results obtained in the transmittance test using Shimadzu UV-Vis Spectrometer UV-1800. The light transmittances at wavelengths 380 nm, 410 nm and 450 nm are tested based on the light emission of white LEDs.

TABLE 1-1 Mechanical Thermal Curing Light Transmittance (%) Strength Organosilicon- Agent Film Tensile Modified Amount Thickness Elongation Strength Polyimides Types (%) 380 nm 410 nm 450 nm (μm) (%) (MPa) Full Aliphatic BPA 8.0 87.1 89.1 90.6 44 24.4 10.5 Full Aliphatic X22-163 8.0 86.6 88.6 90.2 44 43.4 8.0 Full Aliphatic KF105 8.0 87.2 88.9 90.4 44 72.6 7.1 Full Aliphatic EHPE3150 8.0 87.1 88.9 90.5 44 40.9 13.1 Full Aliphatic 2021p 8.0 86.1 88.1 90.1 44 61.3 12.9

TABLE 1-2 Mechanical Thermal Curing Light Transmittance (%) Strength Organosilicon- Agent Film Tensile Modified Amount Thickness Elongation Strength Polyimide Types (%) 380 nm 410 nm 450 nm (mm) (%) (MPa) Full Aliphatic BPA 4.0 86.2 88.4 89.7 44 22.5 9.8 Full Aliphatic 8.0 87.1 89.1 90.6 44 24.4 10.5 Full Aliphatic 12.0 87.3 88.9 90.5 44 20.1 9.0

Even when the same thermal curing agent is added, different added amount thereof will have different effects on the light transmittance. Table 1-2 shows that when the added amount of the thermal curing agent BPA to the full aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide is increased from 4% to 8%, the light transmittance increases. However, when the added amount is further increased to 12%, the light transmittance keeps almost constant. It is shown that the light transmittance increases with the increase of the added amount of the thermal curing agent, but after the light transmittance increases to certain degree, adding more thermal curing agent will have limited effect on the light transmittance.

Different heat dispersing particles would have different transmittances. If heat dispersing particles with low light transmittance or low light reflection are used, the light transmittance of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition will be lower. The heat dispersing particles in the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition of the present disclosure are preferably selected to be transparent powders or particles with high light transmittance or high light reflection. Since the soft filament for the LED is mainly for the light emission, the filament substrate should have good light transmittance. In addition, when two or more types of heat dispersing particles are mixed, particles with high light transmittance and those with low light transmittance can be used in combination, wherein the proportion of particles with high light transmittance is higher than that of particles with low light transmittance. In an embodiment, for example, the weight ratio of particles with high light transmittance to particles with low light transmittance is 3˜5:1.

Different siloxane content also affects the light transmittance. As can be seen from Table 2, when the siloxane content is only 37 wt %, the light transmittance is only 85%. When the siloxane content is increase to above 45%, the light transmittance exceeds 94%.

TABLE 2 Elongation Organosilicon- Siloxane Thermal Tensile Elastic at Resistance Modified Content Curing Tg Strength Modulus Break Chemical to Polyimide (wt %) Agent (° C.) (MPa) (GPa) (%) Transmittance Resistance Thermochromism 1 37 BPA 158 33.2 1.7 10 85 Δ 83 2 41 BPA 142 38.0 1.4 12 92 ∘ 90 3 45 BPA 145 24.2 1.1 15 97 Δ 90 4 64 BPA 30 8.9 0.04 232 94 ∘ 92 5 73 BPA 0 1.8 0.001 291 96 ∘ 95 Heat Resistance

The factors affecting the heat resistance of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition include at least the type of the main material, the siloxane content, and the type and content of the modifier (thermal curing agent).

All the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition synthesized from fluorinated aromatic, semi-aliphatic and, full aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide have superior heat resistance, and are suitable for producing the filament substrate or the light-conversion layer. Detailed results from the accelerated heat resistance and aging tests (300° C.×1 hr) show that the fluorinated aromatic organosilicon-modified polyimide has better heat resistance than the aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide. Accordingly, in an embodiment, if a high power, high brightness LED chip is used as the LED filament, the fluorinated aromatic organosilicon-modified polyimide may be used to produce the filament substrate or the light-conversion layer.

The siloxane content in the organosilicon-modified polyimide will affect the resistance to thermochromism of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition. The resistance to thermochromism refers to the transmittance determined at 460 nm after placing the sample at 200° C. for 24 hours. As can be seen from Table 2, when the siloxane content is only 37 wt %, the light transmittance after 24 hours at 200° C. is only 83%. As the siloxane content is increased, the light transmittance after 24 hours at 200° C. increases gradually. When the siloxane content is 73 wt %, the light transmittance after 24 hours at 200° C. is still as high as 95%. Accordingly, increasing the siloxane content can effectively increase the resistance to thermochromism of the organosilicon-modified polyimide.

Adding a thermal curing agent can lead to increased heat resistance and glass transition temperature. As shown in FIGS. 6, A1 and A2 represent the curves before and after adding the thermal curing agent, respectively; and the curves D1 and D2 represent the values after differential computation on curves A1 and A2, respectively, representing the extent of the change of curves A1 and A2. As can be seen from the analysis results from TMA (thermomechanical analysis) shown in FIG. 6, the addition of the thermal curing agent leads to a trend that the thermal deformation slows down. Accordingly, adding a thermal curing agent can lead to increase of the heat resistance.

In the cross-linking reaction between the organosilicon-modified polyimide and the thermal curing agent, the thermal curing agent should have an organic group which is capable of reacting with the functional group having active hydrogen in the polyimide. The amount and the type of the thermal curing agent have certain effects on chromism, mechanical property and refractive index of the substrate. Accordingly, a thermal curing agent with good heat resistance and transmittance can be selected. Examples of the thermal curing agent include epoxy resin, isocyanate, bismaleimide, and bisoxazoline compounds. The epoxy resin may be bisphenol A epoxy resin, such as BPA; or siloxane-type epoxy resin, such as KF105, X22-163, and X22-163A; or alicylic epoxy resin, such as 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate (2021P), EHPE3150, and EHPE3150CE. Through the bridging reaction by the epoxy resin, a three dimensional bridge structure is formed between the organosilicon-modified polyimide and the epoxy resin, increasing the structural strength of the adhesive itself. In an embodiment, the amount of the thermal curing agent may be determined according to the molar amount of the thermal curing agent reacting with the functional group having active hydrogen in the organosilicon-modified polyimide. In an embodiment, the molar amount of the functional group having active hydrogen reacting with the thermal curing agent is equal to that of the thermal curing agent. For example, when the molar amount of the functional group having active hydrogen reacting with the thermal curing agent is 1 mol, the molar amount of the thermal curing agent is 1 mol.

Thermal Conductivity

The factors affecting the thermal conductivity of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition include at least the type and content of the phosphor, the type and content of the heat dispersing particles and the addition and the type of the coupling agent. In addition, the particle size and the particle size distribution of the heat dispersing particles would also affect the thermal conductivity.

The organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition may also comprise phosphor for obtaining the desired light-emitting properties. The phosphor can convert the wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting semiconductor. For example, yellow phosphor can convert blue light to yellow light, and red phosphor can convert blue light to red light. Examples of yellow phosphor include transparent phosphor such as (Ba,Sr,Ca)₂SiO₄:Eu, and (Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu(barium orthosilicate (BOS)); silicate-type phosphor having a silicate structure such as Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce(YAG(yttrium.aluminum.garnet):Ce), and Tb₃Al₃O₁₂:Ce(YAG(terbium.aluminum.garnet):Ce); and oxynitride phosphor such as Ca-α-SiAlON. Examples of red phosphor include nitride phosphor, such as CaAlSiN₃:Eu, and CaSiN₂:Eu. Examples of green phosphor include rare earth-halide phosphor, and silicate phosphor. The ratio of the phosphor in the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition may be determined arbitrarily according to the desired light-emitting property. In addition, since the phosphor have a thermal conductivity which is significantly higher than that of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin, the thermal conductivity of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition as a whole will increase as the ratio of the phosphor in the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition increases. Accordingly, in an embodiment, as long as the light-emitting property is fulfilled, the content of the phosphor can be suitably increased to increase the thermal conductivity of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition, which is beneficial to the heat dissipation of the filament substrate or the light-conversion layer. Furthermore, when the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition is used as the filament substrate, the content, shape and particle size of the phosphor in the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition also have certain effect on the mechanical property (such as the elastic modulus, elongation, tensile strength) and the warpage extent of the substrate. In order to render superior mechanical property and thermal conductivity as well as small warpage extent to the substrate, the phosphor included in the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition are particulate, and the shape thereof may be sphere, plate or needle, preferably sphere. The maximum average length of the phosphor (the average particle size when they are spherical) is above 0.1 μm, preferably over 1 μm, further preferably 1˜100 μm, and more preferably 1˜50 μm. The content of phosphor is no less than 0.05 times, preferably no less than 0.1 times, and no more than 8 times, preferably no more than 7 times, the weight of the organosilicon-modified polyimide. For example, when the weight of the organosilicon-modified polyimide is 100 parts in weight, the content of the phosphor is no less than 5 parts in weight, preferably no less than 10 parts in weight, and no more than 800 parts in weight, preferably no more than 700 parts in weight. When the content of the phosphor in the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition exceeds 800 parts in weight, the mechanical property of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition may not achieve the strength as required for a filament substrate, resulting in the increase of the defective rate of the product. In an embodiment, two kinds of phosphor are added at the same time. For example, when red phosphor and green phosphor are added at the same time, the added ratio of red phosphor to green phosphor is 1:5˜8, preferably 1:6˜7. In another embodiment, red phosphor and yellow phosphor are added at the same time, wherein the added ratio of red phosphor to yellow phosphor is 1:5˜8, preferably 1:6˜7. In another embodiment, three or more kinds of phosphor are added at the same time.

The main purposes of adding the heat dispersing particles are to increase the thermal conductivity of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition, to maintain the color temperature of the light emission of the LED chip, and to prolong the service life of the LED chip. Examples of the heat dispersing particles include silica, alumina, magnesia, magnesium carbonate, aluminum nitride, boron nitride and diamond. Considering the dispersity, silica, alumina or combination thereof is preferably. The shape of the heat dispersing particles may be sphere, block, etc., where the sphere shape encompasses shapes which are similar to sphere. In an embodiment, heat dispersing particles may be in a shape of sphere or non-sphere, to ensure the dispersity of the heat dispersing particles and the thermal conductivity of the substrate, wherein the added weight ratio of the spherical and non-spherical heat dispersing particles is 1:0.15˜0.35.

Table 3-1 shows the relationship between the content of the heat dispersing particles and the thermal conductivity of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition. As the content of the heat dispersing particles increases, the thermal conductivity of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition increases. However, when the content of the heat dispersing particles in the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition exceeds 1200 parts in weight, the mechanical property of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition may not achieve the strength as required for a filament substrate, resulting in the increase of the defective rate of the product. In an embodiment, high content of heat dispersing particles with high light transmittance or high reflectivity (such as SiO₂, Al₂O₃) may be added, which, in addition to maintaining the transmittance of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition, increases the heat dissipation of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition. The heat conductivities shown in Tables 3-1 and 3-2 were measured by a thermal conductivity meter DRL-III manufactured by Xiangtan city instruments Co., Ltd. under the following test conditions: heating temperature: 90° C.; cooling temperature: 20° C.; load: 350N, after cutting the resultant organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition into test pieces having a film thickness of 300 μm and a diameter of 30 mm.

TABLE 3-1 Weight Ratio [wt %] 0.0% 37.9% 59.8% 69.8% 77.6% 83.9% 89.0% Volume Ratio [vol %] 0.0% 15.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% Thermal Conductivity[W/m * K] 0.17 0.20 0.38 0.54 0.61 0.74 0.81

TABLE 3-2 Specification 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Average Particle Size [μm] 2.7  6.6  9.0  9.6  13    4.1  12    Particle Size Distribution [μm] 1~7 1~20 1~30 0.2~30 0.2~110 0.1~20 0.1~100 Thermal Conductivity [W/m * K] 1.65 1.48 1.52 1.86 1.68 1.87 2.10

For the effects of the particle size and the particle size distribution of the heat dispersing particles on the thermal conductivity of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition, see both Table 3-2 and FIG. 7. Table 3-2 and FIG. 7 show seven heat dispersing particles with different specifications added into the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition in the same ratio and their effects on the thermal conductivity. The particle size of the heat dispersing particles suitable to be added to the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition can be roughly classified as small particle size (less than 1 μm), medium particle size (1-30 μm) and large particle size (above 30 μm).

Comparing specifications 1, 2 and 3, wherein only heat dispersing particles with medium particle size but different average particle sizes are added, when only heat dispersing particles with medium particle size are added, the average particle size of the heat dispersing particles does not significantly affect the thermal conductivity of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition. Comparing specifications 3 and 4, wherein the average particle sizes are similar, the specification 4 comprising small particle size and medium particle size obviously exhibits higher thermal conductivity than specification 3 comprising only medium particle size. Comparing specifications 4 and 6, which comprise heat dispersing particles with both small particle size and medium particle size, although the average particle sizes of the heat dispersing particles are different, they have no significant effect on the thermal conductivity of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition. Comparing specifications 4 and 7, specification 7, which comprises heat dispersing particles with large particle size in addition to small particle size and medium particle size, exhibits the most excellent thermal conductivity. Comparing specifications 5 and 7, which both comprise heat dispersing particles with large, medium and small particle sizes and have similar average particle sizes, the thermal conductivity of specification 7 is significant superior to that of specification 5 due to the difference in the particle size distribution. See FIG. 7 for the particle size distribution of specification 7, the curve is smooth, and the difference in the slope is small, showing that specification 7 not only comprises each particle size, but also have moderate proportions of each particle size, and the particle size is normally distributed. For example, the small particle size represents about 10%, the medium particle size represents about 60%, and the large particle size represents about 30%. In contrast, the curve for specification 5 has two regions with large slopes, which locate in the region of particle size 1-2 μm and particle size 30-70 μm, respectively, indicating that most of the particle size in specification 5 is distributed in particle size 1-2 μm and particle size 30-70 μm, and only small amount of heat dispersing particles with particle size 3-20 μm are present, i.e. exhibiting a two-sided distribution.

Accordingly, the extent of the particle size distribution of the heat dispersing particles affecting the thermal conductivity is greater than that of the average particle size of the heat dispersing particles. When large, medium and small particle sizes of the heat dispersing particles are added, and the small particle size represents about 5-20%, the medium particle size represents about 50-70%, and large particle size represents about 20-40%, the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin will have optimum thermal conductivity. That is because when large, medium and small particle sizes are present, there would be denser packing and contacting each other of heat dispersing particles in a same volume, so as to form an effective heat dissipating route.

In an embodiment, for example, alumina with a particle size distribution of 0.1˜100 μm and an average particle size of 12 μm or with a particle size distribution of 0.1˜20 μm and an average particle size of 4.1 μm is used, wherein the particle size distribution is the range of the particle size of alumina. In another embodiment, considering the smoothness of the substrate, the average particle size may be selected as ⅕˜⅖, preferably ⅕˜⅓ of the thickness of the substrate. The amount of the heat dispersing particles may be 1˜12 times the weight (amount) of the organosilicon-modified polyimide. For example, if the amount of the organosilicon-modified polyimide is 100 parts in weight, the amount of the heat dispersing particles may be 100˜1200 parts in weight, preferably 400˜900 parts in weight. Two different heat dispersing particles such as silica and alumina may be added at the same time, wherein the weight ratio of alumina to silica may be 0.4˜25:1, preferably 1˜10:1.

In the synthesis of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition, a coupling agent such as a silicone coupling agent may be added to improve the adhesion between the solid material (such as the phosphor and/or the heat dispersing particles) and the adhesive material (such as the organosilicon-modified polyimide), and to improve the dispersion uniformity of the whole solid materials, and to further improve the heat dissipation and the mechanical strength of the light-conversion layer. The coupling agent may also be titanate coupling agent, preferably epoxy titanate coupling agent. The amount of the coupling agent is related to the amount of the heat dispersing particles and the specific surface area thereof. The amount of the coupling agent=(the amount of the heat dispersing particles*the specific surface area of the heat dispersing particles)/the minimum coating area of the coupling agent. For example, when an epoxy titanate coupling agent is used, the amount of the coupling agent=(the amount of the heat dispersing particles*the specific surface area of the heat dispersing particles)/331.5.

In other specific embodiments of the present invention, in order to further improve the properties of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition in the synthesis process, an additive such as a defoaming agent, a leveling agent or an adhesive may be selectively added in the process of synthesizing the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition, as long as it does not affect light resistance, mechanical strength, heat resistance and chromism of the product. The defoaming agent is used to eliminate the foams produced in printing, coating and curing. For example, acrylic acid or silicone surfactants may be used as the defoaming agent. The leveling agent is used to eliminate the bumps in the film surface produced in printing and coating. Specifically, adding preferably 0.01˜2 wt % of a surfactant component can inhibit foams. The coating film can be smoothened by using acrylic acid or silicone leveling agents, preferably non-ionic surfactants free of ionic impurities. Examples of the adhesive include imidazole compounds, thiazole compounds, triazole compounds, organoaluminum compounds, organotitanium compounds and silane coupling agents. Preferably, the amount of these additives is no more than 10% of the weight of the organosilicon-modified polyimide. When the mixed amount of the additive exceeds 10 wt %, the physical properties of the resultant coating film tend to decline, and it even leads to deterioration of the light resistance due to the presence of the volatile components.

Mechanical Strength

The factors affecting the mechanical strength of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition include at least the type of the main material, the siloxane content, the type of the modifier (thermal curing agent), the phosphor and the content of the heat dispersing particles.

Different organosilicon-modified polyimide resins have different properties. Table 4 lists the main properties of the fluorinated aromatic, semi-aliphatic and full aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide, respectively, with a siloxane content of about 45% (wt %). The fluorinated aromatic has the best resistance to thermo chromism. The full aliphatic has the best light transmittance. The fluorinated aromatic has both high tensile strength and high elastic modulus. The conditions for testing the mechanical strengths shown in Table 4˜6: the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition has a thickness of 50 μm and a width of 10 mm, and the tensile strength of the film is determined according to ISO527-3:1995 standard with a drawing speed of 10 mm/min.

TABLE 4 Elongation Organosilicon- Siloxane Thermal Tensile Elastic at Resistance Modified Content Curing Strength Modulus Break to Polyimide (wt %) Agent (MPa) (GPa) (%) Transmittance Thermochromism Fluorinated 44 X22-163 22.4 1.0 83 96 95 Aromatic Semi-Aliphatic 44 X22-163 20.4 0.9 30 96 91 Full Aliphatic 47 X22-163 19.8 0.8 14 98 88

TABLE 5 Addition Elongation Siloxane of Thermal Tensile Elastic at Resistance Content Phosphor, Curing Tg Strength Modulus Break Chemical to (wt %) Alumina Agent (° C.) (MPa) (GPa) (%) Transmittance Resistance Thermochromism 37 x BPA 158 33.2 1.7 10 85 Δ 83 37 ∘ BPA — 26.3 5.1 0.7 — — — 41 x BPA 142 38.0 1.4 12 92 ∘ 90 41 ∘ BPA — 19.8 4.8 0.8 — — — 45 x BPA 145 24.2 1.1 15 97 Δ 90 45 ∘ BPA — 21.5 4.2 0.9 — — — 64 x BPA  30 8.9 0.04 232 94 ∘ 92 64 ∘ BPA — 12.3 3.1 1.6 — — — 73 x BPA  0 1.8 0.001 291 96 ∘ 95 73 ∘ BPA — 9.6 2.5 2 — — —

TABLE 6 Mechanical Thermal Curing Light Transmittance (%) Strength Organosilicon- Agent Film Tensile Modified Amount Thickness Elongation Strength Polyimide Types (%) 380 nm 410 nm 450 nm (μm) (%) (MPa) Full Aliphatic BPA 8.0 87.1 89.1 90.6 44 24.4 10.5 Full Aliphatic X22-163 8.0 86.6 88.6 90.2 40 43.4 8.0 Full Aliphatic KF105 12.0 87.5 89.2 90.8 43 80.8 7.5 Full Aliphatic EHPE3150 7.5 87.1 88.9 90.5 44 40.9 13.1 Full Aliphatic 2021p 5.5 86.1 88.1 90.1 44 64.0 12.5

In the manufacture of the filament, the LED chip and the electrodes are first fixed on the filament substrate formed by the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition with a die bonding glue, followed by a wiring procedure, in which electric connections are established between adjacent LED chips and between the LED chip and the electrode with wires. To ensure the quality of die bonding and wiring, and to improve the product quality, the filament substrate should have a certain level of elastic modulus to resist the pressing force in the die bonding and wiring processes. Accordingly, the filament substrate should have an elastic modulus more than 2.0 GPa, preferably 2˜6 GPa, more preferably 4˜6 GPa. Table 5 shows the effects of different siloxane contents and the presence of particles (phosphor and alumina) on the elastic modulus of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition. Where no fluorescent powder or alumina particle is added, the elastic modulus of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition is always less than 2.0 GPa, and as the siloxane content increases, the elastic modulus tends to decline, i.e. the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition tends to soften. However, where phosphor and alumina particles are added, the elastic modulus of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition may be significantly increased, and is always higher than 2.0 GPa. Accordingly, the increase in the siloxane content may lead to softening of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition, which is advantageous for adding more fillers, such as more phosphor or heat dispersing particles. In order for the substrate to have superior elastic modulus and thermal conductivity, appropriate particle size distribution and mixing ratio may be selected so that the average particle size is within the range from 0.1 μm to 100 μm or from 1 μm to 50 μm.

In order for the LED filament to have good bending properties, the filament substrate should have an elongation at break of more than 0.5%, preferably 1˜5%, most preferably 1.5˜5%. As shown in Table 5, where no fluorescent powder or alumina particle is added, the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition has excellent elongation at break, and as the siloxane content increases, the elongation at break increases and the elastic modulus decreases, thereby reducing the occurrence of warpage. In contrast, where phosphor and alumina particles are added, the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition exhibits decreased elongation at break and increased elastic modulus, thereby increasing the occurrence of warpage.

By adding a thermal curing agent, not only the heat resistance and the glass transition temperature of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin are increased, the mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, elastic modulus and elongation at break, of the organosilicon-modified polyimide are also increased. Adding different thermal curing agents may lead to different levels of improvement. Table 6 shows the tensile strength and the elongation at break of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition after the addition of different thermal curing agents. For the full aliphatic organosilicon-modified polyimide, the addition of the thermal curing agent EHPE3150 leads to good tensile strength, while the addition of the thermal curing agent KF105 leads to good elongation.

TABLE 7 Specific Information of BPA Viscosity Content of Equivalent Product at 25° C. Color Hydrolysable of Epoxy Hue Name (mPa · s) (G) Chlorine (mg/kg) (g/mol) APHA BPA 11000~15000 ≤1 ≤300 184~194 ≤30

TABLE 8 Specific Information of 2021P Viscosity Specific Melting Boiling Water Product at 25° C. Gravity Point Point Content Equivalent of Hue Name (mPa · s) (25/25° C.) (° C.) (° C./4 hPa) (%) Epoxy (g/mol) APHA 2021P 250 1.17 −20 188 0.01 130 10

TABLE 9 Specific Information of EHPE3150 and EHPE3150CE Viscosity at 25° C. Softening Equivalent of Hue Product Name (mPa · s) Appearance Point Epoxy(g/mol) APHA EHPE3150 — Transparent 75 177 20 (in 25% Plate Solid acetone solution) EHPE3150CE 50,000 Light Yellow — 151 60 Transparent Liquid

TABLE 10 Specific Information of PAME, KF8010, X22-161A, X22-161B, NH15D, X22-163, X22-163A and KF-105 Viscosity Specific Refractive Equivalent of Product at 25° C. Gravity Index at Functional Name (mm2/s) at 25° C. 25° C. Group PAME 4 0.90 1.448 130 g/mol KF8010 12 1.00 1.418 430 g/mol X22-161A 25 0.97 1.411 800 g/mol X22-161B 55 0.97 1.408 1500 g/mol NH15D 13 0.95 1.403 1.6~2.1 g/mmol X22-163 15 1.00 1.450 200 g/mol X22-163A 30 0.98 1.413 1000 g/mol KF-105 15 0.99 1.422 490 g/mol

The organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition of the present embodiment may be used in a form of film or as a substrate together with a support to which it adheres. The film forming process comprises three steps: (a) coating step: spreading the above organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition on a peelable body by coating to form a film; (b) heating and drying step: heating and drying the film together with the peelable body to remove the solvent from the film; and (c) peeling step: peeling the film from the peelable body after the drying is completed to give the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition in a form of film. The above peelable body may be a centrifugal film or other materials which do not undergo chemical reaction with the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition, e.g., PET centrifugal film.

The organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition may be adhered to a support to give an assembly film, which may be used as the substrate. The process of forming the assembly film comprises two steps: (a) coating step: spreading the above organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition on a support by coating to from an assembly film; and (b) heating and drying step: heating and drying the assembly film to remove the solvent from the film.

In the coating step, roll-to-roll coating devices such as roller coater, mold coating machine and blade coating machine, or simple coating means such as printing, inkjeting, dispensing and spraying may be used.

The drying method in the above heating and drying step may be drying in vacuum, drying by heating, or the like. The heating may be achieved by a heat source such as an electric heater or a heating media to produce heat energy and indirect convection, or by infrared heat radiation emitted from a heat source.

A film (composite film) with high thermal conductivity can be obtained from the above organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition by coating and then drying and curing, so as to achieve any one or combination of the following properties: superior light transmittance, chemical resistance, heat resistance, thermal conductivity, film mechanical property and light resistance. The temperature and time in the drying and curing step may be suitably selected according to the solvent and the coated film thickness of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition. The weight change of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition before and after the drying and curing as well as the change in the peaks in the IR spectrum representing the functional groups in the thermal curing agent can be used to determine whether the drying and curing are completed. For example, when an epoxy resin is used as the thermal curing agent, whether the difference in the weight of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition before and after the drying and curing is equal to the weight of the added solvent as well as the increase or decrease of the epoxy peak before and after the drying and curing are used to determine whether the drying and curing are completed.

In an embodiment, the amidation is carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere, or vacuum defoaming is employed in the synthesis of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition, or both, so that the volume percentage of the cells in the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition composite film is 5˜20%, preferably 5˜10%. As shown in FIG. 8B, the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition composite film is used as the substrate for the LED soft filament. The substrate 420 b has an upper surface 420 b 1 and an opposite lower surface 420 b 2. FIG. 8A shows the surface morphology of the substrate after gold is scattered on the surface thereof as observed with vega3 electron microscope from Tescan Corporation. As can be seen from FIG. 8B and the SEM image of the substrate surface shown in FIG. 8A, there is a cell 4 d in the substrate, wherein the cell 4 d represents 5˜20% by volume, preferably 5˜10% by volume, of the substrate 420 b, and the cross section of the cell 4 d is irregular. FIG. 8B shows the cross-sectional scheme of the substrate 420 b, wherein the dotted line is the baseline. The upper surface 420 b 1 of the substrate comprises a first area 4 a and a second area 4 b, wherein the second area 4 b comprises a cell 4 d, and the first area 4 a has a surface roughness which is less than that of the second area 4 b. The light emitted by the LED chip passes through the cell in the second area and is scattered, so that the light emission is more uniform. The lower surface 420 b 2 of the substrate comprises a third area 4 c, which has a surface roughness which is higher than that of the first area 4 a. When the LED chip is positioned in the first area 4 a, the smoothness of the first area 4 a is favorable for subsequent bonding and wiring. When the LED chip is positioned in the second area 4 b or the third area 4 c, the area of contact between the die bonding glue and substrate is large, which improves the bonding strength between the die bonding glue and substrate. Therefore, by positioning the LED chip on the upper surface 420 b 1, bonding and wiring as well as the bonding strength between the die bonding glue and substrate can be ensured at the same time. When the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition is used as the substrate of the LED soft filament, the light emitted by the LED chip is scattered by the cell in the substrate, so that the light emission is more uniform, and glare can be further improved at the same time. In an embodiment, the surface of the substrate 420 b may be treated with a silicone resin or a titanate coupling agent, preferably a silicone resin comprising methanol or a titanate coupling agent comprising methanol, or a silicone resin comprising isopropanol. The cross section of the treated substrate is shown in FIG. 8C. The upper surface 420 b 1 of the substrate has relatively uniform surface roughness. The lower surface 420 b 2 of the substrate comprises a third area 4 c and a fourth area 4 e, wherein the third area 4 c has a surface roughness which is higher than that of the fourth area 4 e. The surface roughness of the upper surface 420 b 1 of the substrate may be equal to that of the fourth area 4 e. The surface of the substrate 420 b may be treated so that a material with a high reactivity and a high strength can partially enter the cell 4 d, so as to improve the strength of the substrate.

When the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition is prepared by vacuum defoaming, the vacuum used in the vacuum defoaming may be −0.5˜−0.09 MPa, preferably −0.2˜−0.09 MPa. When the total weight of the raw materials used in the preparation of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition is less than or equal to 250 g, the revolution speed is 1200˜2000 rpm, the rotation speed is 1200˜2000 rpm, and time for vacuum defoaming is 3˜8 min. This not only maintains certain amount of cells in the film to improve the uniformity of light emission, but also keeps good mechanical properties. The vacuum may be suitably adjusted according to the total weight of the raw materials used in the preparation of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition. Normally, when the total weight is higher, the vacuum may be reduced, while the stirring time and the stirring speed may be suitably increased.

According to the present disclosure, a resin having superior transmittance, chemical resistance, resistance to thermochromism, thermal conductivity, film mechanical property and light resistance as required for a LED soft filament substrate can be obtained. In addition, a resin film having a high thermal conductivity can be formed by simple coating methods such as printing, inkjeting, and dispensing.

When the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition composite film is used as the filament substrate (or base layer), the LED chip is a hexahedral luminous body. In the production of the LED filament, at least two sides of the LED chip are coated by a top layer. When the prior art LED filament is lit up, non-uniform color temperatures in the top layer and the base layer would occur, or the base layer would give a granular sense. Accordingly, as a filament substrate, the composite film is required to have superior transparency. In other embodiments, sulfonyl group, non-coplanar structure, meta-substituted diamine, or the like may be introduced into the backbone of the organosilicon-modified polyimide to improve the transparency of the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition. In addition, in order for the bulb employing said filament to achieve omnidirectional illumination, the composite film as the substrate should have certain flexibility. Therefore, flexible structures such as ether (such as (4,4′-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)diphenyl ether), carbonyl, methylene may be introduced into the backbone of the organosilicon-modified polyimide. In other embodiments, a diamine or dianhydride comprising a pyridine ring may be employed, in which the rigid structure of the pyridine ring can improve the mechanical properties of the composite film. Meanwhile, by using it together with a strong polar group such as —F, the composite film may have superior light transmittance. Examples of the anhydride comprising a pyridine ring include 2,6-bis(3′,4′-dicarboxyphenyl)-4-(3″,5″-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)pyridine dianhydride.

The LED filament structure in the aforementioned embodiments is mainly applicable to the LED light bulb product, so that the LED light bulb can achieve the omni-directional light illuminating effect through the flexible bending characteristics of the single LED filament. The specific embodiment in which the aforementioned LED filament applied to the LED light bulb is further explained below.

Please refer to FIG. 9A. FIG. 9A illustrates a perspective view of an LED light bulb according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the third embodiment, the LED light bulb 20 c comprises a lamp housing 12, a bulb base 16 connected with the lamp housing 12, two conductive supports 51 a, 51 b disposed in the lamp housing 12, a driving circuit 518 electrically connected with both the conductive supports 51 a, 51 b and the bulb base 16, a stem 19, supporting arms 15 and a single LED filament 100.

The lamp housing 12 is a material which is preferably light transmissive or thermally conductive, such as, glass or plastic, but not limited thereto. In implementation, the lamp housing 12 may be doped with a golden yellow material or its surface coated with a yellow film to absorb a portion of the blue light emitted by the LED chip to reduce the color temperature of the light emitted by the LED light bulb 20 c. In other embodiments of the present invention, the lamp housing 12 includes a layer of luminescent material (not shown), which may be formed on the inner surface or the outer surface of the lamp housing 12 according to design requirements or process feasibility, or even integrated in the material of the lamp housing 12. The luminescent material layer comprises low reabsorption semiconductor nanocrystals (hereinafter referred to as quantum dots), the quantum dots comprises a core, a protective shell and a light absorbing shell, and the light absorbing shell is disposed between the core and the protective shell. The core emits the emissive light with emission wavelength, and the light absorbing shell emits the excited light with excitation wavelength. The emission wavelength is longer than the excitation wavelength, and the protective shell provides the stability of the light.

The core is a semiconductor nanocrystalline material, typically the combination of at least of one metal and at least one non-metal. The core is prepared by combining a coation precursor(s) with an anion precursor(s). The metal for the core is most preferably selected from Zn, Cd, Hg, Ga, In, Ti, Pb or a rare earth. The non-metal is most preferably selected from O, S, Se, P, As or Te. The cationic precursor ion may include all transition metals and rare earth elements, and the anionic precursor ions may be chosen from O, S, Se, Te, N, P, As, F, CL, and Br. Furthermore, cationic precursors may include elements or compounds, such as elements, covalent compounds, or ionic compounds, including but are not limited to, oxides, hydroxides, coordination compounds, or metal salts, which serves as a source for the electropositive element or elements in the resulting nanocrystal core or shell materials.

The cationic precursor solution may include a metal oxide, a metal halide, a metal nitride, a metal ammonia complex, a metal amine, a metal amide, a metal imide, a metal carboxylate, a metal acetylacetonate, a metal dithiolate, a metal carbonyl, a metal cyanide, a metal isocyanide, a metal nitrile, a metal peroxide, a metal hydroxide, a metal hydride, a metal ether complex, a metal diether complex, a metal triether compound, a metal carbonate, a metal nitrate, a metal nitrite, a metal sulfate, a metal alkoxide, a metal siloxide, a metal thiolate, a metal dithiolate, a metal disulfide, a metal carbamate, a metal dialky carbamate, a metal pyridine complex, a metal dipyridine complex, a metal phenanthroline complex, a metal terpyridine complex, a metal diamine complex, a metal triamine complex, a metal diimine, a metal pyridine diimine, a metal pyrazollborate, a metal bis(pyrazole)borate, a metal tris(pyrazole)borate, a metal nitrosyl, a metal thiocarbamate, metal diazabutadiene, a metal dithiocarbamate, a metal dialkylacetamide, a metal dialkylformamide, a metal formamidinate, a metal phosphine complex, a metal arsine complex, a metal diphosphine complex, a metal diarsine complex, a metal oxalate, a metal imidazole, a metal pyrazolate, a metal Schiff base complex, a metal porphyrin, a metal phthalocyanine, a metal subphthalocyanine, a metal picolinate, a metal piperidine complex, a metal pyrazolyl, a metal salicylaldehyde, a metal ethylenediamine, a metal triflate compound or any combination thereof. Preferably, the cationic precursor solution may include a metal oxide, a metal carbonate, a metal bicarbonate, a metal sulfate, a metal sulfite, a metal phosphate, a metal phosphite, a metal halide, a metal carboxylate, a metal hydroxide, a metal alkoxide, a metal thiolate, a metal amide, a metal imide, a metal alkyl, a metal aryl, a metal coordination complex, a metal solvate, a metal salt or a combination thereof. Most preferably, the cationic precursor is a metal oxide or metal salt precursor and may be selected from zinc stearate, zinc myristate, zinc acetate, and manganese stearate.

Anionic precursors may also include elements, covalent compounds, or ionic compounds, which are used as one or more electronegative elements in the resulting nanocrystals. These definitions expect to be able to prepare ternary compounds, quaternary compounds and even more complex species using the methods disclosed in the present invention, in which case more than one cationic precursor and/or more than one anion precursor can be used. When two or more cationic elements are used during a given monolayer growth, if the other part of the nanocrystalline contains only a single cationic, the resulting nanocrystals have a cationic alloy at the specified single layer. The same method can be used to prepare nanocrystals with anionic alloys.

The above method is applicable to the core/shell nanocrystals prepared using a series of cationic precursor compounds of core and shell materials, for example, precursors of Group II metals (eg, Zn, Cd or Hg), precursors of Group III metals (eg, Al, Ga or In), a precursor of a Group IV metal (for example, Ge, Sn or Pb), or a transition metal (for example, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Tc), Re, Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, etc.).

The components of the light absorbing shell may be the same or different from the composition of the core. Typically, the light absorbing shell material has the same lattice structure as the material selected for the core. For example, if CdSe is used as the emission region material, the absorption region material may be CdS. The light absorbing shell material is chosen to provide good absorption characteristics and can depend on the light source. For example, CdS can be a good choice for the absorption region when the excitation comes from a typical blue LED (within the wavelength range between 440 and 470 nm) solid state illumination. For example, if the excitation originates from a purple LED to produce a red LED by frequency down-conversion, then ZnSe or ZnSe_(x)S_(1-x) (where x is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1) is a preferred choice for the absorption region. As another example, if one wishes to obtain near-infrared emission from a quantum dot for bio-medical applications (700-1000 nm) by using a red light source, then CdSe and InP often work as the absorption region material.

The protected area (wide bandgap semiconductor or insulator) at the outermost outer shell of the quantum dot provides the desired chemical and optical stability to the quantum dots. In general, a protective shell (also known as a protected area) neither effectively absorbs light nor emits directional photons within the preferred excitation window described above. This is because it has a wide band gap. For example, ZnS and GaN are examples of protective shell materials. Metal oxides can also be utilized. In certain embodiments, an organic polymer can be used as a protective shell. The thickness of the protective shell is typically in the range between 1 and 20 monolayers. Moreover, the thickness can also be increased as needed, but this also increases production costs.

A light absorbing shell includes a plurality of mono layers that form a compositional gradient. For example, the light absorbing shell can include three components varying in a ratio of 1:0:1 in a mono layer located closest to the core to a ratio 0:1:1 in a mono layer located closest to the protective shell. By way of example, three useful components are Cd, Zn, and S and for instance, a mono layer closest to the core may have a component CdS (ratio 1:0:1), a mono layer closest to the protective shell may have a component corresponding to ZnS (Ratio 0:1:1), and the intermediate mono layer between the core and the protective shell may have a component corresponding to ZnSe_(x)S_(1-x) having a ratio (X):(1-X):1, and wherein X greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1. In this case, X is larger for a mono layer closer to the core than a mono layer that closer to the protective shell. In another embodiment, the transition shell consists of three components, the ratio from the single layer closest to the core to the single layer closest to the protective shell: 0.9:0.1:1, 0.8:0.2:1, 0.6:0.4:1, 0.4:0.6:1, and 0.2:0.8:1. Other combinations of Cd, Zn, S, and Se alloys can also be used as transition shells instead of ZnSe_(x)S_(1-x) as long as they have suitable lattice matching parameters. In one embodiment, a suitable transition shell includes one shell having Cd, Zn, and S components and the following layers listed from the layer closest to the light absorbing shell to the layer closest to the protective shell: Cd_(0.9)Zn_(0.1)S, Cd_(0.8)Zn_(0.2)S, Cd_(0.6)Zn_(0.4)S, Cd_(0.4)Zn_(0.6)S, Cd_(0.2)Zn_(0.8)S.

The LED filament 100 shown in FIG. 9A is bent to form a contour resembling to a circle while being observed from the top view of FIG. 9A. According to the embodiment of FIG. 9A, the LED filament 100 is bent to form a wave shape from side view. The shape of the LED filament 100 is novel and makes the illumination more uniform. In comparison with a LED bulb having multiple LED filaments, single LED filament 100 has less connecting spots. In implementation, single LED filament 100 has only two connecting spots such that the probability of defect soldering or defect mechanical pressing is decreased.

The stem 19 has a stand 19 a extending to the center of the bulb shell 12. The stand 19 a supports the supporting arms 15. The first end of each of the supporting arms 15 is connected with the stand 19 a while the second end of each of the supporting arms 15 is connected with the LED filament 100.

Please refer to FIG. 9B which illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of the dashed-line circle of FIG. 9A. The second end of each of the supporting arms 15 has a clamping portion 15 a which clamps the body of the LED filament 100. The clamping portion 15 a may, but not limited to, clamp at either the wave crest or the wave trough. Alternatively, the clamping portion 15 a may clamp at the portion between the wave crest and the wave trough. The shape of the clamping portion 15 a may be tightly fitted with the outer shape of the cross-section of the LED filament 100. The dimension of the inner shape (through hole) of the clamping portion 15 a may be a little bit smaller than the outer shape of the cross-section of the LED filament 100. During manufacturing process, the LED filament 100 may be passed through the inner shape of the clamping portion 15 a to form a tight fit. Alternatively, the clamping portion 15 a may be formed by a bending process. Specifically, the LED filament 100 may be placed on the second end of the supporting arm 15 and a clamping tooling is used to bend the second end into the clamping portion to clamp the LED filament 100.

The supporting arms 15 may be, but not limited to, made of carbon steel spring to provide with adequate rigidity and flexibility so that the shock to the LED light bulb caused by external vibrations is absorbed and the LED filament 100 is not easily to be deformed. Since the stand 19 a extending to the center of the bulb shell 12 and the supporting arms 15 are connected to a portion of the stand 19 a near the top thereof, the position of the LED filaments 100 is at the level close to the center of the bulb shell 12. Accordingly, the illumination characteristics of the LED light bulb 20 c are close to that of the traditional light bulb including illumination brightness. The illumination uniformity of LED light bulb 20 c is better. In the embodiment, at least a half of the LED filaments 100 is around a center axle of the LED light bulb 20 c. The center axle is coaxial with the axle of the stand 19 a.

In the embodiment, the first end of the supporting arm 15 is connected with the stand 19 a of the stem 19. The clamping portion of the second end of the supporting arm 15 is connected with the outer insulation surface of the LED filaments 100 such that the supporting arms 15 are not used as connections for electrical power transmission. In an embodiment where the stem 19 is made of glass, the stem 19 would not be cracked or exploded because of the thermal expansion of the supporting arms 15 of the LED light bulb 20 c. Additionally, there may be no stand in an LED light bulb. The supporting arm 15 may be fixed to the stem or the bulb shell directly to eliminate the negative effect to illumination caused by the stand.

The supporting arm 15 is thus non-conductive to avoid a risk that the glass stem 19 may crack due to the thermal expansion and contraction of the metal filament in the supporting arm 15 under the circumstances that the supporting arm 15 is conductive and generates heat when current passes through the supporting arm 15.

In different embodiments, the second end of the supporting arm 15 may be directly inserted inside the LED filament 100 and become an auxiliary piece in the LED filament 100, which can enhance the mechanical strength of the LED filament 100. Relative embodiments are described later.

The inner shape (the hole shape) of the clamping portion 15 a fits the outer shape of the cross section of the LED filament 100; therefore, based upon a proper design, the cross section of the LED filament 100 may be oriented to face towards a predetermined orientation. For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the LED filament 100 comprises a top layer 420 a, LED chips 104, and a base layer 420 b. The LED chips 104 are aligned in line along the axial direction (or an elongated direction) of the LED filament 100 and are disposed between the top layer 420 a and the base layer 420 b. The top layer 420 a of the LED filament 100 is oriented to face towards ten o'clock in FIG. 9B. A lighting face of the whole LED filament 100 may be oriented to face towards the same orientation substantially to ensure that the lighting face of the LED filament 100 is visually identical. The LED filament 100 comprises a main lighting face Lm and a subordinate lighting face Ls corresponding to the LED chips. If the LED chips in the LED filament 100 are wire bonded and are aligned in line, a face of the top layer 420 a away from the base layer 420 b is the main lighting face Lm, and a face of the base layer 420 b away from the top layer 420 a is the subordinate lighting face Ls. The main lighting face Lm and the subordinate lighting face Ls are opposite to each other. When the LED filament 100 emits light, the main lighting face Lm is the face through which the largest amount of light rays passes, and the subordinate lighting face Ls is the face through which the second largest amount of light rays passes. In the embodiment, there is, but is not limited to, a conductive foil 530 formed between the top layer 420 a and the base layer 420 b, which is utilized for electrical connection between the LED chips. In the embodiment, the LED filament 100 wriggles with twists and turns while the main lighting face Lm is always towards outside. That is to say, any portion of the main lighting face Lm is towards the bulb shell 12 or the bulb base 16 and is away from the stem 19 at any angle, and the subordinate lighting face Ls is always towards the stem 19 or towards the top of the stem 19 (the subordinate lighting face Ls is always towards inside).

The LED filament 100 shown in FIG. 9A is curved to form a circular shape in a top view while the LED filament is curved to form a wave shape in a side view. The wave shaped structure is not only novel in appearance but also guarantees that the LED filament 100 illuminates evenly. In the meantime, the single LED filament 100, comparing to multiple LED filaments, requires less joint points (e.g., pressing points, fusing points, or welding points) for being connected to the conductive supports 51 a, 51 b. In practice, the single LED filament 100 (as shown in FIG. 9A) requires only two joint points respectively formed on the two conductive electrodes, which effectively lowers the risk of fault welding and simplifies the process of connection comparing to the mechanically connection in the tightly pressing manner.

Please refer to FIG. 9C. FIG. 9C is a projection of a top view of an LED filament of the LED light bulb 20 c of FIG. 9A. As shown in FIG. 9C, in an embodiment, the LED filament may be curved to form a wave shape resembling to a circle observed in a top view to surround the center of the light bulb or the stem. In different embodiments, the LED filament observed in the top view can form a quasi-circle or a quasi U shape.

As shown in FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C, the LED filament 100 surrounds with the wave shape resembling to a circle and has a quasi-symmetric structure in the top view, and the lighting face of the LED filament 100 is also symmetric, e.g., the main lighting face Lm in the top view may faces outwardly; therefore, the LED filament 100 may generate an effect of an omnidirectional light due to a symmetry characteristic with respect to the quasi-symmetric structure of the LED filament 100 and the arrangement of the lighting face of the LED filament 100 in the top view. Whereby, the LED light bulb 20 c as a whole may generate an effect of an omnidirectional light close to a 360 degrees illumination. Additionally, the two joint points may be close to each other such that the conductive supports 51 a, 51 b are substantially below the LED filament 100. Visually, the conductive supports 51 a, 51 b keeps a low profile and is integrated with the LED filament 100 to show an elegance curvature.

Definition of the omni-directional light depends on regions and varies over time. Depending on different institutions and countries, LED light bulbs which claim omni-directional light may need to meet different standards. For example, page 24 of the ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Lamps (bulbs)—Eligibility Criteria Version 1.0 defines that an omnidirectional lamp in base-on position has to emit at least 5% of total flux (lm) in 135° to 180° zone, that 90% of measured intensity values may vary by no more than 25% from the average of all measured values in all planes, and that luminous intensity (cd) is measured within each vertical plane at a 5° vertical angle increment (maximum) from 0° to 135°. Japanese JEL 801 requires luminous flux of an LED lamp within a 120 degrees zone about a light axis shall not be less than 70% of total flux. Because the above embodiment possesses a symmetrical arrangement of LED filament, an LED light bulb with the LED filament is able to meet various standards of omni-directional lamps.

Referring to FIGS. 10A to 10D, FIG. 10A is a perspective diagram of an LED light bulb 40 d according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 10B to 31D are respectively side view, another side view, and top view of the FIG. 10A. In the present embodiment, the LED light bulb 40 d includes a lamp housing 12, a bulb base 16 connected to the lamp housing 12, a stem 19, a stand 19 a, and a single LED filament 100. The LED filament 100 includes two conductive electrodes 110, 112 at two ends, a plurality of LED sections 102, 104 and a plurality of first and second conductive sections 130, 130′. Moreover, the LED light bulb 40 d and the single LED filament 100 disposed in the LED light bulb 40 d can refer to related descriptions of the previous embodiments, wherein the same or similar components and the connection relationship between components is no longer detailed.

As shown in FIG. 10A to FIG. 10D, the LED filament 100 comprises two first conductive sections 130 and one second conductive section 130′, and four LED sections 102, 104, and every two adjacent LED sections 102, 104 are connected by the bending first or second conductive sections 130, 130′. Therefore, the single LED filament 100 in the LED light bulb 40 d can be bent severer because of the first and second conductive sections 130, 130′, and the curling change in bending is more significant. Moreover, the LED filament 100 can be defined as having a plurality of sections, each of the sections is connected between the first and second conductive sections 130, 130′, and each LED section 102, 104 is formed into a respective section. In the present embodiment, the LED filament 100 is bent into four sections by two first conductive sections 130 and one second conductive sections 130′, wherein the four LED sections 102, 104 are respectively the four sections.

Referring to FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C, in the present embodiment, the height of the upper two first conductive sections 130 may be greater than the height of the second conductive sections 130′ in the Z direction. The height of the two LED sections 102, 104 is between the upper first conductive section 130 and the lower second conductive section 130′ in the Z direction. The other two LED sections 102, 104 extend downward from the corresponding first conductive section 130 in the Z direction, and the height of the conductive electrodes 110, 112 is less than the height of the second conductive section 130′ in the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 10C of the present embodiment, the projections of the opposite LED sections 102, 104 are overlapped each other when the LED filament 100 is projected on the XZ plane. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 10D, when the LED filament 100 is projected on the XY plane, all the projections of the first and second conductive sections 130, 130′ are located in one side of a straight line connecting between the conductive electrodes 110, 112.

Referring to FIGS. 11A to 11D, FIG. 11A is a perspective diagram of an LED light bulb 40 e according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 11B to 11D are respectively side view, another side view, and top view of the FIG. 11A. In the present embodiment, the LED light bulb 40 e includes a lamp housing 12, a bulb base 16 connected to the lamp housing 12, a stem 19, a stand 19 a, and a single LED filament 100. The LED filament 100 includes two conductive electrodes 110, 112 disposed at two ends, a plurality of LED sections 102, 104 and a plurality of first and second conductive sections 130, 130′. Moreover, the LED light bulb 40 e and the single LED filament 100 disposed in the LED light bulb 40 e can refer to related descriptions of the previous embodiments, wherein the same or similar components and the connection relationship between components is no longer detailed.

As shown in FIG. 11A to FIG. 11D, the LED filament 100 comprises three first conductive sections 130 and two second conductive sections 130′, and six LED sections 102, 104, and every two adjacent LED sections 102, 104 are connected by the bending first or second conductive sections 130, 130′. Therefore, the single LED filament 100 in the LED light bulb 40 e can be bent severer because of the first and second conductive sections 130, 130′, and the curling change in bending is more significant. Moreover, the LED filament 100 can be defined as having a plurality of sections, each of the sections is connected between the first and second conductive sections 130, 130′, and each LED section 102, 104 is formed into a respective section. In the present embodiment, the LED filament 100 is bent into six sections by the three first conductive sections 130 and the two second conductive sections 130′, wherein the six LED sections 102, 104 are respectively the six sections.

Referring to FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C, in the present embodiment, the height of the upper three first conductive sections 130 may be greater than the height of the lower two second conductive sections 130′ in the Z direction. The height of the four LED sections 102, 104 is between the upper first conductive section 130 and the lower second conductive section 130′ in the Z direction. The other two LED sections 102, 104 extend downward from the corresponding first conductive section 130 in the Z direction, and the height of the conductive electrodes 110, 112 is less than the height of the first conductive section 130 in the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 11C of the present embodiment, the projections of the opposite LED sections 102, 104 are overlapped each other when the LED filament 100 is projected on the XZ plane. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 11D, when the LED filament 100 is projected on the XY plane, the projections of the second conductive sections 130′ are located in one side of a straight line connecting between the conductive electrodes 110, 112.

Referring to FIGS. 12A to 12D, FIG. 12A is a perspective diagram of an LED light bulb 40 f according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 12B to 33D are respectively side view, another side view, and top view of the FIG. 12A. In the present embodiment, the LED light bulb 40 f includes a lamp housing 12, a bulb base 16 connected to the lamp housing 12, a stem 19, a stand 19 a, and a single LED filament 100. The LED filament 100 includes two conductive electrodes 110, 112 disposed at two ends, a plurality of LED sections 102, 104 and a plurality of first and second conductive sections 130, 130′. Moreover, the LED light bulb 40 f and the single LED filament 100 disposed in the LED light bulb 40 f can refer to related descriptions of the previous embodiments, wherein the same or similar components and the connection relationship between components is no longer detailed.

As shown in FIG. 12A to FIG. 12D, the LED filament 100 comprises three first conductive sections 130 and four second conductive sections 130′, and eight LED sections 102, 104, and every two adjacent LED sections 102, 104 are connected by the bending first or second conductive sections 130, 130′. Therefore, the single LED filament 100 in the LED light bulb 40 f can be bent severer because of the first and second conductive sections 130, 130′, and the curling change in bending is more significant. Moreover, the LED filament 100 can be defined as having a plurality of sections, each of the sections is connected between the first and second conductive sections 130, 130′, and each LED section 102, 104 is formed into a respective sections. In the present embodiment, the LED filament 100 is bent into eight sections by three conductive sections 130 and four second conductive sections 130′, wherein the eight LED sections 102, 104 are respectively the eight sections.

Referring to FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C, in the present embodiment, the height of the upper three first conductive sections 130 may be greater than the height of the lower four second conductive sections 130′ in the Z direction. The height of the six LED sections 102, 104 is between the upper first conductive section 130 and the lower second conductive section 130′ in the Z direction. The other two LED sections 102, 104 extend upward from the corresponding second conductive section 130′ in the Z direction, and the height of the conductive electrodes 110, 112 is approximately equal to the height of the upper second conductive section 130′ in the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C of the present embodiment, the projections of the opposite LED sections 102, 104 are overlapped each other when the LED filament 100 is projected on the YZ plane (referring to FIG. 12B) or the XZ plane (referring to FIG. 12C). In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 12D, when the LED filament 100 is projected on the XY plane, all the projections of the first and second conductive sections 130, 130′ are located in one side of a straight line connecting between the conductive electrodes 110, 112.

Referring to FIGS. 13A to 13D, FIG. 13A is a perspective diagram of an LED light bulb 40 g according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 13B to 34D are respectively side view, another side view, and top view of the FIG. 13A. In the present embodiment, the LED light bulb 40 g includes a lamp housing 12, a bulb base 16 connected to the lamp housing 12, a stem 19, a stand 19 a, and a single LED filament 100. The LED filament 100 includes two conductive electrodes 110, 112 disposed at two ends, a plurality of LED sections 102, 104 and a plurality of first and second conductive sections 130, 130′. Moreover, the LED light bulb 40 g and a single LED filament 100 disposed in the LED light bulb 40 g can refer to related descriptions of the previous embodiments, wherein the same or similar components and the connection relationship between components is no longer detailed.

As shown in FIG. 13A to FIG. 13D, the LED filament 100 comprises two conductive sections 130, one second conductive section 130′, and four LED sections 102, 104, and every two adjacent LED sections 102, 104 are connected by the bending first and second conductive sections 130, 130′. Therefore, the single LED filament 100 in the LED light bulb 40 g can be bent severer because of the first and second conductive sections 130, 130′, and the curling change in bending is more significant. Moreover, the LED filament 100 can be defined as having a plurality of sections, each of the sections is connected between the first and second conductive sections 130, 130′, and each LED section 102, 104 is formed into a respective section. In the present embodiment, the LED filament 100 is bent into four sections by the two conductive sections 130 and the one second conductive section 130′, wherein the four LED sections 102, 104 are respectively the four sections.

Referring to FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B and FIG. 13C, in the present embodiment, the height of the upper two first conductive sections 130 may be greater than the height of the lower one second conductive sections 130′ in the Z direction. The height of the two LED sections 104 is between the upper first conductive section 130 and the lower second conductive section 130′ in the Z direction. The other two LED sections 102, 104 extend downward from the corresponding first conductive section 130 in the Z direction, and the height of the conductive electrodes 110, 112 is less than the height of the second conductive section 130′ in the Z direction.

In the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 13A, the LED filament 100 extends around an axial direction and is resulted of a curling posture similar to spiral-like. As shown in FIG. 13B, the diameter of the spiral-like intermediate coil of the LED filament 100 (ie, the portion around which the two LED sections 102, 104 are formed) is relatively small, and the diameter of the outer spiral-like coil of the LED filament 100 (ie, the portion of the other two LED sections 102, 104 that extends outwardly and connects respectively with the conductive electrodes 110, 112) is relatively large. Moreover, the contour of the LED filament in the YZ plane may form a heart-like shape, and the distance between the two first conductive sections 130 is less than the distance between the two conductive electrodes 110, 112 in the Y direction. In other embodiments, the distance between the two first conductive sections 130 may be greater than or equal to the distance between the two conductive electrodes 110, 112 in the Y direction. In the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 13C, the LED filament 100 is in a shape like deformed S letter in the XZ plane. If the length of the LED filament 100 continues extending in a spiral-like posture along its axial direction, the curling posture of the LED filament 100 may have a plurality of overlapping shapes like deformed S letter in the XZ plane. In the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 13D, the curling posture of the LED filament 100 also has a shape like deformed S letter in the XY plane. If the length of the LED filament 100 continues extending in a spiral-like posture along its axial direction, the curling posture of the LED filament 100 may have a plurality of overlapping shapes like deformed S letter in the XY plane. As shown in FIGS. 13C and 13D, in the present embodiment, the first and second conductive sections 130, 130′ are located between the conductive electrodes 110, 112.

Referring to FIGS. 14A to 14D, FIG. 14A is a perspective diagram of an LED light bulb 40 h according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 14B to 14D are respectively side view, another side view, and top view of the FIG. 14A. In the present embodiment, the LED light bulb 40 h includes a lamp housing 12, a bulb base 16 connected to the lamp housing 12, a stem 19, a stand 19 a, and a single LED filament 100. The LED filament 100 includes two conductive electrodes 110, 112 at two ends, a plurality of LED sections 102, 104 and a single conductive section 130. Moreover, the LED light bulb 40 h and the single LED filament 100 disposed in the LED light bulb 40 h can refer to related descriptions of the previous embodiments, wherein the same or similar components and the connection relationship between components is no longer detailed.

Referring to FIGS. 14A to 14D, in the present invention, the LED filament section 100 includes one conductive section 130, two LED sections 102, 104, and between two adjacent LED sections 102, 104 is connected by the conductive section 130. Wherein the LED filament 100 having a circular arc at the highest point of the bending curvature, that is, each of the LED sections 102, 104 respectively having a circular arc at the highest point of the LED filament 100, and the conductive section also exhibits a circular arc at the low point of the LED filament. Moreover, the LED filament 100 can be defined as having a plurality of sections, each of the sections is connected between the first and second conductive sections 130, and each LED section 102, 104 is formed into a respective section.

Moreover, since the LED filament 100 is equipped with a flexible base layer, the flexible base layer preferably is made by an organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition, and thus the LED sections 102, 104 themselves also have a certain degree of bendability. In the present embodiment, the two LED sections 102, 104 are respectively bent to form in the shape like an inverted deformed U letter, and the conductive section 130 is located between the two LED sections 102, 104, and the degree of the bending of the conductive section 130 is the same as or greater than the degree of the bending of the LED sections 102, 104. In other words, the two LED sections 102, 104 of the LED filament are respectively bent at the high point to form in the shape like an inverted deformed U letter and have a bending radius value at R1, and the conductive section 130 is bent at a low point of the LED filament 100 and has a bending radius value at R2, wherein the value R1 is the same as or greater than the value R2. Through the configuration of the conductive section 130, the LED filament 100 disposing in a limited space can be realized with a small radius bending of the LED filament 100. In one embodiment, the bending points of the LED sections 102, 104 are at the same height in the Z direction. Further, in the Z direction, the stand 19 a of the present embodiment has a lower position than the stand 19 a of the previous embodiment, and the height of the present stand 19 a is corresponding to the height of the conductive section 130. For example, the lowest portion of the conductive section 130 can be connected to the top of the stand 19 a so that the overall shape of the LED filament 100 is not easily deformed. In various embodiments, the conductive sections 130 may be connected to the stand 19 a through the perforation of the top of the stand 19 a, or the conductive sections 130 may be glued to the top of the stand 19 a to connect with each other, but are not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the conductive section 130 and the stand 19 a may be connected by a guide wire, for example, a guide wire connected to the conductive section 130 is drawn at the top of the stand 19 a.

As shown in FIG. 14B, in the present embodiment, the height of the conductive section 130 is higher than the two conductive electrodes 110, 112 in the Z direction, and the two LED sections 102, 104 are respectively shaped upward from the two conductive electrodes 110, 112 to the highest point and then are bent down to connect with the conductive section 130. As shown in FIG. 14C, in the present embodiment, the contour of the LED filament 100 in the XZ plane is similar to the V letter, that is, the two LED sections 102, 104 are respectively shaped obliquely upward and outward and are bent respectively at the highest point and then obliquely inwardly to connect with the conductive section 130. As shown in FIG. 14D, in the present embodiment, the LED filament 100 has a contour in the shape like S letter in the XY plane. As shown in FIG. 14B and FIG. 14D, in the present embodiment, the conductive section 130 is located between the conductive electrodes 110, 112. As shown in FIG. 14D, in the XY plane, the main bending points of the LED sections 102, 104, and the conductive electrodes 110, 112 are substantially on the circumference centered on the conductive section 130.

Referring to FIG. 15, which is a schematic diagram of the light emission spectrum of an LED light bulb according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the LED light bulb may be any of the LED light bulbs disclosed in the previous embodiments, and any one of the LED light bulbs disclosed in the previous embodiments is provided. The light emitted by the LED light bulb is measured by a spectrometer to obtain a spectrum diagram as shown in FIG. 15. From the spectrum diagram, the spectral distribution of the LED light bulb is mainly between the wavelength ranges of about 400 nm to 800 nm. Moreover, there are three peaks of intensity values P1, P2, P3 in wavelength ranges corresponding to the light emitted by the LED light bulb. The wavelength of the intensity value P1 is between about 430 nm and 480 nm, the wavelength of the intensity value P2 is between about 580 nm and 620 nm, and the wavelength of the intensity value P3 is between about 680 nm and 750 nm. The light intensity of the peak P1 is less than that of the peak P2, and the light intensity of the peak P2 is less than the light intensity of the peak P3. As shown in FIG. 15, such a spectral distribution is close to the spectral distribution of a conventional incandescent filament lamp and also close to the spectral distribution of natural light. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a schematic diagram of the light emission spectrum of a single LED filament is shown in FIG. 16. From the spectrum diagram, it can be seen that the spectral distribution of the LED light bulb is mainly between the wavelength range of about 400 nm to 800 nm, and there are three peaks of intensity values P1, P2, P3 in that wavelength range. The wavelength of the intensity value P1 is between about 430 nm and 480 nm, the wavelength of the intensity value P2 is between about 480 nm and 530 nm, and the wavelength of the intensity value peak P3 is between about 630 nm and 680 nm. Such a spectral distribution is close to the spectral distribution of a conventional incandescent filament lamp and also close to the spectral distribution of natural light.

The meaning of the term “a single LED filament” and “a single strip LED filament” as used in the present invention is mainly composed of the aforementioned conductive section, the LED section, the connection between thereof, the light conversion layer (including the consecutive top layer or the bottom layer, with continuous formation to cover or support all the components), and two conductive electrodes electrically connected to the conductive brackets of the LED light bulb disposing at both ends of the LED filament, which is the single LED filament structure referred to in the present invention.

The various embodiments of the present invention described above may be arbitrarily combined and transformed without being mutually exclusive, and are not limited to a specific embodiment. For example, some features as described in the embodiment shown in FIG. C although not described in the embodiment shown in FIG. A, those features may be included in the embodiment of FIG. A. That is, those skilled in the art can applies some features of the FIG. A to the embodiment shown in the FIG. C without additional creativity. Or alternatively, although the invention has illustrated various creation schemes by taking the LED light bulb as an example, it is obvious that these designs can be applied to other shapes or types of light bulb without additional creativity, such as LED candle bulbs, and the like.

The invention has been described above in terms of the embodiments, and it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It should be noted that variations and permutations equivalent to those of the embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An LED light bulb, consisting of: a lamp housing doped with a golden yellow material or its surface coated with a yellow film; a bulb base connected to the lamp housing; a stem connected to the bulb base and located in the lamp housing, the stem comprises a stand extending to the center of the lamp housing; a single flexible LED filament, disposed in the lamp housing, the flexible LED filament comprising: a plurality of LED sections, each of the LED sections includes at least one LED chip; a plurality of conductive sections, located between the adjacent two LED sections, where each of the conductive sections includes a conductor, the conductor is copper foil; at least two conductive electrodes, respectively disposed corresponding to the LED sections and electrically connected to the LED sections; and a light conversion layer comprising a phosphor layer and a silicon layer superposed on the phosphor layer, disposed on the LED chips and at least two sides of the conductive electrodes, and a portion of the conductive electrodes is exposed by the light conversion layer, the LED chip comprising a upper surface and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface of the LED chip, wherein the phosphor layer directly contacts the upper surface of the LED chip, and a base layer contacts the lower surface of the LED chip; two conductive supports, each of the two conductive supports connected with both the stem and the flexible LED filament; and a driving circuit, electrically connected with the two conductive supports; a plurality of supporting arms, each of the supporting arms comprise a first end and a second end opposite to the first end of the supporting arms, the first end of each of the supporting arms is connected with the stand while the second end of each of the supporting arms is connected with the flexible LED filament; wherein the base layer is formed from organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition comprising an organosilicon-modified polyimide and a thermal curing agent, wherein the organosilicon-modified polyimide comprises a repeating unit represented by the following general Formula (I):

wherein Ar¹ is a tetra-valent organic group having a benzene ring or an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, Ar² is a di-valent organic group having a monocyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, R is each independently methyl or phenyl, n is 1˜5; wherein the organosilicon-modified polyimide has a number average molecular weight of 5000˜100000; wherein the thermal curing agent is selected from the group consisting of epoxy resin, isocyanate and bisoxazoline compounds.
 2. The LED light bulb according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the phosphor layer and the silicon layer are equal.
 3. The LED light bulb according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the phosphor layer and the silicon layer are unequal.
 4. The LED light bulb according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the phosphor layer and the silicon layer respectively is 30 to 70 um and 30 to 50 um.
 5. The LED light bulb according to claim 4, wherein the silicon layer does not contain phosphor.
 6. The LED light bulb according to claim 5, wherein each of the LED sections includes at least two LED chips that are electrically connected to each other.
 7. The LED light bulb according to claim 6, wherein Ar¹ is derived from a dianhydride, and Ar² is derived from a diamine.
 8. The LED light bulb according to claim 7, wherein Ar¹ is a tetra-valent organic group having a monocyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure or a bridged-ring alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, Ar² is a di-valent organic group comprising a functional group having active hydrogen, where the functional group having active hydrogen is any one of hydroxyl, amino, carboxy and mercapto.
 9. The LED light bulb according to claim 8, wherein the organosilicon-modified polyimide resin composition further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of fluorescent powders, heat dispersing particles and a coupling agent.
 10. The LED light bulb according to claim 9, wherein the heat dispersing particles have a particle size distribution of 0.1˜100 μm, the content of small particle size of below 1 μm is 5˜20%, the content of medium particle size of 1˜30 μm is 50˜70%, and the content of large particle size of above 30 μm is 20˜40%.
 11. The LED light bulb according to claim 10, wherein the content of the fluorescent powders is no more than 7 times of the weight of the organosilicon-modified polyimide.
 12. The LED light bulb according to claim 11, wherein the base layer has an elongation at break of 1˜5%, and a refractive index of 1.4˜1.55.
 13. The LED light bulb according to claim 12, wherein a spectral distribution of the light bulb is between wavelength range of about 400 nm to 800 nm, and three peak wavelengths P1, P2, P3 are appeared in the wavelength ranges corresponding to light emitted by the light bulb, the wavelength of the peak P1 is between 430 nm and 480 nm, the wavelength of the peak P2 is between 580 nm and 620 nm, and the wavelength of the peak P3 is between 680 nm and 750 nm, wherein a light intensity of the peak P1 is less than that of the peak P2, and the light intensity of the peak P2 is less than that of the peak P3.
 14. The LED light bulb according to claim 13, wherein points of the flexible LED filament in an xyz coordinates are defined as X, Y, and Z, an x-y plane of the xyz coordinates is perpendicular to the height direction of the light bulb, a z-axis of xyz coordinates is parallel with stem, where the conductive sections comprising first conductive sections and second conductive sections, and every two adjacent LED sections are connected by the bending first and second conductive sections, and the number of the first conductive sections is one more than the number of the second conductive sections.
 15. The LED light bulb according to claim 14, wherein the flexible LED filament comprise three first conductive sections, two second conductive section, and six LED sections and every two adjacent LED sections are connected by the bending first and second conductive sections.
 16. The LED light bulb according to claim 15, wherein the height of each of the three first conductive sections is greater than the height of each of the two second conductive section in the Z direction.
 17. The LED light bulb according to claim 16, wherein the height of each of the two conductive electrodes is less than the height of each of the first conductive section in the Z direction.
 18. The LED light bulb according to claim 17, wherein the projections of the opposite LED sections are overlapped each other when the flexible LED filament is projected on the XZ plane.
 19. The LED light bulb according to claim 18, wherein when the flexible LED filament is projected on the XY plane, the projections of the second conductive sections are located in one side of a straight line connecting between the two conductive electrodes.
 20. The LED light bulb according to claim 19, wherein when the flexible LED filament is projected on the XY plane, the projections of a portion of the first conductive sections are located in one side of a straight line connecting between the two conductive electrodes. 